Fratricide is defined as "the killing of a brother, or of one's own brother, either deliberately or in a fit of rage, jealousy, or despair" It has been around since ancient times and is still a major cause of death in many parts of the world today.
In the ancient world, fratricide was a common practice. It was seen as a way of settling disputes between siblings or protecting the family honor. In some cases, a son or daughter who was considered to be of a lower status than their sibling was killed in order to maintain the family’s honor and reputation. In other cases, a demise of a son or daughter was seen as necessary in order to save the family from disgrace. Fratricide was also seen as a way to rid the family of difficult or troublesome siblings.
In some cultures, fratricide is still accepted as an acceptable solution to certain disputes, particularly in cases of honor or family matters. In many countries, however, it is illegal and those who commit the act are subject to prosecution.
Five of the best examples of fratricide in history include:
1. Marcus Junius Brutus, one of Julius Caesar’s assassins, killed his brother-in-law, Lucius Cato, during the civil war that followed Caesar’s death.
2. King Herod the Great executed his brother, Pheroras, on the suspicion of treason in 4 BC.
3. Xiandi of the Zhou Dynasty in China killed his brother Bo Yang in 590 BC.
4. In the Bible, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, and Jacob’s sons Reuben and Simeon plotted to kill Joseph, although Reuben intervened and stopped them from doing so.
5. In medieval England, King Richard II had his uncle, Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, arrested and executed in 1397.
Fratricide is a serious crime and has a long history of being seen as a way to settle disputes between siblings or protect the family honor. Its use, however, is now illegal in many countries and those who commit it can expect to face serious repercussions.