The best source of information on crucifixions comes from the four Gospels. But another valuable source of information on the practice of crucifixion is ancient Greek and Roman literature. The Greeks and Romans did not write much about crucifixion, but they talked about it often enough to provide important information about this method of execution. The Romans did not invent crucifixion as a method of execution, although many believe they perfected it. The Persians were the first to resort to crucifixion. Ancient writings say that King Darius crucified 3,000 Babylonians around 519 BC. Two centuries later, Alexander the Great also used crucifixion when he conquered different countries. Curtius Rufus stated in History of Alexander that Alexander crucified 2000 citizens of the city of Tire after his conquest. Execution by crucifixion became common during the reign of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). The Romans conquered the Greeks and that is probably where they learned about the crucifixion. Crucifixion was also used by many barbarian peoples, such as the Indians, Assyrians, Scythians and Celts. It was also later used by the Germans and the British. The Roman form of crucifixion was not used in the Old Testament by the Jewish people. In fact, this is against Jewish laws which require that a person hanged from a tree be buried the same day. The Romans, however, had no respect for such laws when it came to matters of state. Jewish crucifixion victims were hanged as long as anyone else. Shame was as much a part of the problem as death. The Jews considered crucifixion one of the most horrible and accursed forms of death (Deuteronomy 21:23). The only exception I found reported was that of the historian Josephus when the Jewish high priest...... middle of article...... Archaeological Review 11 (January-February 1985), 44- 53.Weber, Hans-Ruedi. The Cross: Tradition and interpretation. Translated by Elke Jesset. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979. Edwards, William D., Gabel, Wesley J., and Hosmer, Floyd E. “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.” » The Journal of the American Medical Association 256 (March 21, 1986). http://christianity.about.com/od/biblefactsandlists/tp/crucifixionforms.htm “Different Forms of Crucifixions; Four basic structures or types of crosses were used for crucifixions”, Mary Fairchild http://www.orlutheran.com/html/crucify.html “Crucifixion in the Ancient World”; Dr Richard P BucherHengel, Martin. Crucifixion: In the ancient world and the madness of the message of the cross. Translated by John Bowden. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1977.