Book on crucifixion gives a voice to those who have suffered
During the Roman period probably 2 million people were crucified. And crucifixions still occur today. Theologian Ruben van Wingerden wanted to know everything about crucifixion in all its aspects: history, practice, and why people are capable of inflicting such humiliating and degrading suffering on each other. 'I wanted to give a voice to those who have suffered.' His book, "Roman Crucifixion", will be released this week.
Where does your fascination with such a gruesome subject as crucifixion come from?
'During my theology studies, I came across the topic of bearing the cross, and I wondered what we knew about what preceded the crucifixion of people. For my doctorate, I focused on Christian interpretations of bearing the cross; I wanted to know everything about it. And when you study a topic for a long time, you discover new things, ask more questions, also because some data do not match. Especially because what is in our cultural memory about crucifixion is not always consistent with the facts. I examined the technical aspects of crucifixions, looking at both theory and practice. You can read the texts, but they are about people. It did not leave me indifferent. While studying Greek and Latin texts, I sometimes had to stop because it was so intense.
But the background is that, through my study and experiences, I have become increasingly interested in human suffering, which is fundamental to being human. This has only increased in recent years for me, also due to the inability in our time to deal with suffering. I wanted to know how people in the past faced suffering, what worldview they had.'
In addition to his doctoral research, he worked on the study based on literature research, mainly classical Latin and Greek sources, and archaeology.
What are your findings?
'Crucifixion is a form of hanging, execution, a public display, shaped and institutionalized by the Romans. It was common and continues even to this day, for example, by ISIS. Conservative estimates are that in the Roman period 300,000 people were crucified, including large numbers of enslaved individuals, most in Europe, in Italy. But a figure of more than two million is more realistic. The enslaved would revolt in large groups, such as with Spartacus, and in this last case, 2000 people were crucified and displayed along the Via Appia. Most victims were men, but women were crucified too. It is striking that Jews were often targeted. There was not a fixed practice, but the condemned often had to carry the beam themselves and were sometimes whipped. An accusation hung around their neck or on the cross. Crucifixion did not take place in the city itself but at busy intersections at the gates so that everyone could see it. Often, there was a guard to ensure that the family could not retrieve the body for burial. Because this form of execution also aimed to dehumanize the person. The body had to rot in public instead of being honorably buried.
Most crucifixions took place in Italy, as the center of Roman power, but also in the former Palestine and Egypt. Later, it occurred in certain periods of the Islamic empires and in Japan, where rulers wanted to mock Jesuits by crucifying them. The message was then: if you are a follower of Christ, then you also die like him.'
''There is always something in humans that wants to cause pain, humiliate, and destroy others. Crucifixion may also be about shifting guilt onto someone else, projecting your own inability and actions. Like Christians believe that all sins were transferred to Jesus. Due to the Roman culture of games in the arena, people no longer had to feel guilty when the blood of others was shed.''
- Ruben van Wingerden
Dehumanization
Van Wingerden admits that during the research, he occasionally lost faith in humanity. 'There is always something in humans that wants to cause pain, humiliate, and destroy others. Crucifixion may also be about shifting guilt onto someone else, projecting your own inability and actions. Like Christians believe that all sins were transferred to Jesus. Due to the Roman culture of games in the arena, people no longer had to feel guilty when the blood of others was shed.
And the meaning of crucifixion still resonates today, for example, through Russian propaganda against Ukraine, claiming that the country crucifies Russians. The effect is that Ukrainians are depicted as devils, Nazis. ISIS also, which used crucifixion as a taunt towards the West, and because it is a Sharia state, it is allowed to be applied. The goal is humiliation, dehumanization, depriving human dignity, and dishonorable suffering. You are shown naked, in all your vulnerability. It is an extremely strong way of oppression and spreading fear.'
Realistic picture
Van Wingerden found it necessary to show suffering. 'I have personally experienced suffering, so you can better empathize with the suffering of others. I also wanted to give a voice to those who have suffered. It is so ingrained in Western culture; Christianity is based on something so gruesome that we have lost empathy. People need to be aware of that. And you must confront suffering before you can help others.'
He opposes the romanticization of crucifixion, as sometimes portrayed in the media or in art: 'Often, the images do not match the facts, and I wanted to demonstrate that. When people read this, they should get a realistic picture of what crucifixion was. The precise dimensions, weight of the wood, how the process went, technical aspects – we know almost nothing about them, and assumptions are made. I find that very disturbing; it does not do justice to the victims. In the 1960s, for example, it was believed that the cause of death by crucifixion was suffocation, but that is not correct. Medical professionals should better examine historical sources. And I hope that the horror of the atrocities of crucifixion contributes to a positive interpretation: recognition that it is one of the most humiliating and dehumanizing ways of killing. And that this practice in the history of humanity comes to an end.'
Book
Ruben van Wingerden's book "Romeinse Kruisiging" will be released on March 13 by Walburg Press. The presentation will take place in the Auditorium of the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht from 14.30-16.00 uur. Toegang is gratis.