I tried to tell the story of the slaves of Lucius Pedanius Secundus. It's a strange and moving story for me because everyone knew they had done nothing wrong.
After the murder the Senate debated 3 days to decide if the penalty would be carried out. I can only guess at their emotions while they knew a debate was going on. I can only imagine their feelings when news about their fate finally reached them.
I guess it must have taken a few days to start all of the crucifixions -- I doubt whether there was enough manpower to do all the work simultaneously for 400 condemned, plus guard the prisoners and keep order in the town.
Did someone in those days keep 1,200 to 1,600 spikes on hand? Or did they have to arrive from a distant warehouse, or get made by blacksmiths? That must have taken some time.
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I'm thinking about writing a fictionalized version of this story, set in a near-future dystopia when civilization has largely collapsed. For their protection people have returned to living on enormous estates under a wealthy warlord who can keep some order.