It makes the answer the subject of the verb "to split" - ergo it suggests they were the active party, rather than the passive one they were, in the split.
I came up with a History by Letter - X quiz. Was a bit hard to find answers starting with, not just containing X, but I think it turned out just as well as most in the rest in the series.
Jesus was far from the first and far from the last individual to be crucified and that reasoning would only really apply to Christians who haven't studied much on ancient Rome. Plus, I feel like the quiz-maker knew that he'd face some form of religious or anti-religious comments if he used Jesus as the example.
Your second sentence is probably accurate, but most educated non-Christians know Jesus was crucified. I suspect if you asked the average person to name someone who's been crucified, Jesus would be the most common answer, even among non-Christians.
also alexander wasnt just born in greece. he was greek.