"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:33, 3433And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:33‑34).
Described by Alfred Edersheim in his "Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah:"
"First the upright wood was planted in the ground. It was not high, and probably the Feet of the Sufferer were not above one or two feet from the ground.
"Thus could the communication described in the Gospels take place between Him and others; thus also might His sacred lips be moistened with the sponge attached to a short stalk of hyssop.
"Next the transverse wood (antenna) was placed on the ground and the Sufferer laid on it; then His arms were extended, drawn up and bound to it. Then (this not in Egypt, but in Carthage and in Rome) a strong, sharp nail was driven first into the right, then into the left hand (the clavi Trabales).
"Next the Sufferer was drawn up by means of ropes, perhaps ladders; the transverse either bound or nailed to the upright and a rest or support for the body (the cornu or sedile) fastened on it. Lastly the feet were extended and either one nail hammered into each or a larger piece of iron through the two. And so might the crucified hang for hours, even days, in the unutterable anguish of suffering till consciousness at last failed."