As a historian with a focus on ancient Mediterranean cultures and the historical context of religious texts, I can provide some insights into the question of who crucified Jesus. It's important to note that historical accounts and religious narratives often intertwine, and the story of Jesus' crucifixion is no exception. The event is deeply rooted in both history and religious doctrine, and understanding it requires a nuanced look at the sources and the historical context.
According to the canonical gospels, Jesus, known as the Christ, was arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish supreme council at the time. After the trial, Jesus was handed over to the Roman authorities, specifically to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Pilate is known to have been a figure who often sought to maintain peace and stability in the region, and he was also known for his willingness to engage in judicial proceedings that could appease the local population without necessarily adhering to Roman legal standards.
It is within this context that Pilate sentenced Jesus to be scourged, a form of punishment that was severe and often preceded crucifixion. The scourging was a brutal process that involved whipping the individual with a multi-lashed whip that had small pieces of bone or metal attached to it, causing severe lacerations and immense pain. This was followed by the crucifixion, a method of execution that was used by the Romans to deter insurrection and to serve as a public spectacle of suffering and death.
The act of crucifixion itself was typically carried out by Roman soldiers. Jesus was stripped of his clothing, which was a common practice to further humiliate the condemned. It was also customary to offer the condemned a drink known as posca, which was a mixture of wine and myrrh or gall. This drink was thought to have a sedative effect and was sometimes offered to ease the pain of the crucifixion process, although it is debated whether Jesus accepted this offer.
The crucifixion was a process that involved affixing the victim to a cross, either by nailing or tying them to it. The individual would then be left to hang, often for several days, until death occurred. Death was typically due to asphyxiation, as the weight of the body pulling down on the nails or ropes would make it difficult to breathe. The crucifixion was not only a form of execution but also a deterrent, intended to serve as a warning to others of the consequences of opposing Roman authority.
It is important to recognize that the historical accounts of Jesus' crucifixion are primarily derived from the New Testament, which is a religious text with its own theological perspectives. While these accounts provide the most detailed narratives of the event, historians also look to other sources, such as the writings of Josephus, a Jewish-Roman historian, and the Roman historian Tacitus, to gain a broader understanding of the historical context.
In conclusion, the crucifixion of Jesus is a complex event that involves both religious and historical elements. The Romans, under the authority of Pontius Pilate, were responsible for the execution method of crucifixion. The Sanhedrin played a role in the trial and sentencing, but the actual act of crucifixion was a Roman practice. Understanding this event requires an appreciation for the interplay between religious narratives and historical records, as well as an awareness of the broader sociopolitical context of the time.

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According to the canonical gospels, Jesus, the Christ, was arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin, and then sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be scourged, and finally crucified by the Romans. Jesus was stripped of his clothing and offered wine mixed with myrrh or gall to drink before being crucified.read more >>