Question: According to church tradition, which apostle was crucified with his head downwards at his own request?
Answer: Peter.
Comments: Many sources claim that Peter was martyred in Rome around 64 as the Emperor Nero blamed the Great Fire of Rome on the Christians. Traditions originating in the apocryphal Acts of Peter claim that the Romans crucified Peter upside down at his request because he found himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
I beseech you the executioners, crucify me thus, with the head downward and not otherwise: and the reason wherefore, I will tell unto them that hear. (Acts of Peter, XXXVII)
Note: The painting is "Crucifixion of St. Peter" by Caravaggio (1571-1610).
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