Jesus Endures a Roman Crucifixion

At the place of his death, three Roman Soldiers forced Jesus to lie down while securing him to the crossbar of the cross. One soldier laid across his chest, holding him in place, while two others would stretch out his arms to secure his hands to the crossbar. The nails (about 5 inches long, square) would have been nailed through the palm of the hand, just below the bulge at the base of the thumb (not the wrist).

The two soldiers on the side then would lift the victim, while the third soldier would grab him by the waist or legs, elevating him to his feet. They would then secure him to the vertical piece of the cross that was already in the ground. They would bend his knees until his feet were flush again the cross, and then both of his feet (separately, with two nails) were nailed to the upright.

The cross would have been at eye level so that mockers could hurl insults at the victim, and to further the humiliation. The Romans would crucify their victims completely naked. It was done on a hill to be visible to the majority of the city, as a deterrent.