'Crucifixion as a means of execution in the Roman Empire has as its express purpose the elimination of victims from consideration as members of the human race. It cannot be said too strongly: that was its function. It was meant to indicate to all who might be toying with subversive ideas that crucified persons were not of the same species as either the executioners of the spectators and were therefore not only expendable but also deserving of ritualized extermination.'
Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion, p.92.
