article_snippet: The death of Jesus of Nazareth, at least historically speaking, was just one more ignominious execution of a peasant Jew in a long line of such executions.
article_snippet: A century before Jesus death, the Romans crucified about 6,000 slaves on the roads leading to Rome, putting to an end the Third Servile War.
article_snippet: Like Jesus, about 6,000 slaves on the roads leading to Rome stood up to the Roman Empire and were quickly defeated.
article_snippet: Crucifixion was common.
article_snippet: In fact, Jesus'd done just about the opposite of what was expected: preached peace, lived in relative obscurity, and died young.
article_snippet: Whether it was the Roman occupying force or the powerful temple leaders, it was
article_snippet: Then, an obscure figure who was little understood preached peace and died a sacrificial death.