[1] One Evangelist says gall, another myrrh, and on this difference harmonists and their antagonists have spent their time; but surely it is not worth while.
[2] The distinction between the legitimate and the illegitimate use is not very easy to draw; but there is an obvious difference between destroying pain for an ulterior purpose and destroying it merely to save the feeling of the sufferer.
[3] On the details of crucifixion there is an extremely interesting and learned excursus in Zöckler's _Das Kreus Christi_ (Beilage III.). Cicero's Verrine Orations contain a good deal that is valuable to a student of the Passion, especially in regard to scourging and crucifixion. Crucifixion was an extremely common form of punishment in the ancient world; but "the cross of the God-Man has put an end to the punishment of the crow."
[4] Zöckler maintains that crucifixion, while the most shameful, was not absolutely the most painful form of death.
[5] The appreciation of the significance of the Cross has gone on in two lines--the Artistic and the Doctrinal--both of which arc followed out with varied learning in Zöckler's _Kreus Christi_.
The English reader may with great satisfaction trace the artistic development in Mrs. Jameson's _History of our Lord as exemplified in Works of Art_, where the following scheme is given of the varieties of treatment:--
"_Symbolical_, when the abstract personifications of the sun and moon, earth and ocean, are present.
"_Sacrificially symbolical_, when the Eucharistic cup is seen below the Cross, or the pelican feeding her young is placed above it.
"_Simply doctrinal_, when the Virgin and St. John stand on each side, as solemn witnesses; or our Lord is drinking the cup, sometimes literally so represented, given Him of the Father, while the lance opens the sacramental font.
"_Historically ideal_, as when the thieves are joined to the scene, and sorrowing angels throng the air.
"_Historically devotional_, as when the real features of the scene are preserved, and saints and devotees are introduced.
"_Legendary_, as when we see the Virgin fainting.
"_Allegorical and fantastic_, as when the tree is made the principal object, with its branches terminating in patriarchs and prophets, virtues and graces.