Answer:
Actually the cross was not in use during the the time of Jesus, the original Greek word in the new testament was "stau-ros" or in Latin "crux". which simply meant stake or upright pole. In fact the Jews had a history of executing criminals in this manner such as the account at Ezra 6:11. It was not until later translation when the word cross was put in place instead of the later more accurate translations of the bible.