Crucifixion had been in occasional use among the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and others, but it was the Romans who made it a common means of execution. Men hanging on crosses became a familiar sight in the conquered territories of Rome.

The Romans had two methods of execution: beheading and crucifixion. Beheading was for Roman citizens and others of some social standing. Crucifixion, however, was for slaves and the lowest classes of foreigners. Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion by law.

In order to bring about the greatest amount of shame, crucifixion was almost always preceded by scourging and mockery. Then the condemned man was made to carry the crossbeam along public roads, amidst the jeers and insults of the people, to the place of execution. He was then stripped of all his clothing and hung completely naked on the cross. A sign giving his name and sentence was put at the top of the cross and he was the object of continued mocking from people who passed by.

The cross was looked upon with such horror, scandal, and loathing, that it was considered bad manners to even mention it in the presence of respectable people. The Roman, Cicero, said: "Let even the name of the cross be kept away, not only from the bodies of the citizens of Rome, but also from their thought, sight, and hearing." To go to the cross meant to receive the greatest possible reproach, shame, and torture.

Then one day a Carpenter from Nazareth was crucified and instead of bringing shame, His death conquered the cross. Early in the fourth century the Roman Emperor, Constantine, banned the practice of crucifixion, in honor of Jesus Christ.

Jesus took the cross, the cruelest of all human implements, and made it a universal symbol for the love of God for human beings. Now you know the best of the story.