Interestingly, Jehovah's Witnesses USED to use the cross in their literature.
Not sure when they changed to not using it at all, and making the claim about the "pole" or "stake" vs. the T-shaped cross.
From a technical issue, I don't know which would be more efficient.
Maybe the Romans used both.
But the Bible clearly mentions a cross.
So there had to be some *evidence* of it being used.
It looks like the Greek word is “stauros,” which can be translated “cross” or “stake.”
The Vulgate uses “crux” which is definitely “cross.”
My Latin is much better than my Greek.
It seems that having the arms spread out would make the punishment more agonizing.