Who invented death by hanging?

The first reference in Europe I remember is the one given by Livy about the furca in Republican Rome: from a log in Y form (arbor infelix), the prisoner was tied by the neck and dropped, breaking his neck in a quick death. read more

Death by hanging was the customary method of capital punishment in Brazil throughout its history. Some important national heroes like Tiradentes (1792) were killed by hanging. The last man executed in Brazil was the slave Francisco, in 1876. read more

Although other methods of execution, such as boiling, burning and beheading were frequently used in the mediaeval period, by the eighteenth century hanging had become the principle punishment for capital crimes. The eighteenth century also saw the start of the movement for the abolition of the death penalty. read more

The first account of execution by hanging was in Homer 's Odyssey (Book XXII). So it was invented somewhat before then and as the account in Wikipedia on Hanging claims could also refer to crucifiction. read more