Sociocultural, Political and Legal Factors in Execution of Jesus Christ During the Roman Era

Abstract

Christianity as a religion developed about 2,000 years ago and crucifixion of Jesus Christ is focal point of its origin as an off-shoot from Jewish religion. The execution of Jesus Christ by crucifixion forms a critical aspect of Christian faith in the resurrection of Jesus. This study explored the reasons why Jesus was not subject to gladiatorial events as a means of his execution and instead crucified. The Conflict Theory guided this study and data collection done through a survey of scholarly articles on the internet. Data analysis was through critical analysis to identify underlying themes and patterns relating to crucifixion and gladiatorial games in ancient Roman empire. The findings of the study demonstrate that Jesus was not eligible for gladiatorial events because he was not a slave nor prisoner of war. His execution by crucifixion was pegged as the best punishment for people who threatened Roman rule. Jesus’s offence was labeling himself “King of the Jews” which was sedition. The study’s value is that it informs scholars of on the Roman distinction between death via gladiatorial spectacles as entertainment-oriented and death by crucifixion as a punishment for capital offences.