Crucifixion

I’m sure we’ve all clocked an iconic image,
in passing, without focusing on the horror
that was really going on: such torture!
What could it have felt like
when the nails went in;
how could anyone’s brain be so wired
as to think that such an inhumane act
is acceptable punishment. History,
of course, repeats itself
and the horrors (in all their varieties)
continue.

Though so does kindness, love, and joy.

The length of time required to reach death could range from hours to days depending on method, the victim's health, and the environment. A literature review by Maslen and Mitchell identified scholarly support for several possible causes of death: cardiac rupture, heart failure, hypovolemic shock, acidosis, asphyxia, arrhythmia, and pulmonary embolism. Death could result from any combination of those factors or from other causes, including sepsis following infection due to the wounds caused by the nails or by the scourging that often preceded crucifixion, eventual dehydration, or animal predation.