Jump to content

Fratricide: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
unsourced and incoherent; Undid revision 1118823959 by 23.115.120.17 (talk)
Tags: Undo section blanking
Replace template per TfD
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2008}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2008}}
[[File:Cain kills Abel.png|right|thumb|"[[Cain]] kills [[Abel]]", a fratricide illustrated by [[Gustave Doré]] (''And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=4&version=48|title=Holy Bible 21st Century King James Version |publisher=BibleGateway.com |access-date=2009-04-07}}</ref>).]]
[[File:Cain kills Abel.png|right|thumb|''[[Cain]] kills [[Abel]]'', a fratricide illustrated by [[Gustave Doré]] ("And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him.")<ref>{{cite web |url=https://biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=4&version=48 |title=Genesis 4:48 |website=[[21st Century King James Version]] |via=[[BibleGateway]] |access-date=2009-04-07}}</ref>]]
{{homicide}}
{{homicide}}
{{Violence against men}}
{{violence against men}}


'''Fratricide''' ({{etymology|la|{{wikt-lang|la|fratricidium}}|}}, from the Latin words ''{{lang|la|frater}}'' "brother" and the assimilated root of ''{{lang|la|caedere}}'' "to kill, to cut down") is the act of killing one's own [[brother]].
'''Fratricide''' ({{etymology|la|{{wikt-lang|la|fratricidium}}|}}; {{etymology||{{Wikt-lang|la|frater}}|brother||{{Wikt-lang|la|-cīdium}}|killing}} the assimilated root of {{Wikt-lang|la|caedere}} 'to kill, cut down') is the act of killing one's own [[brother]].


It can either be done directly or via the use of either a hired or an indoctrinated intermediary (an assassin). The victim need not be the perpetrator's biological brother. In a military context, fratricide refers to a service member killing a comrade.
It can either be done directly or via the use of either a hired or an indoctrinated intermediary (an assassin). The victim need not be the perpetrator's biological brother. In a military context, fratricide refers to a service member killing a comrade.

The term is often used metaphorically to refer to [[civil wars]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Murrell Taylor |first1=Amy |title=The Divided Family in Civil War America |date=2009 |publisher=University of Carolina Press |page=71}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=McNelis |first1=Charles |title=Statius' Thebaid and the Poetics of Civil War |date=2007 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=4}}</ref>


== Religion and mythology ==
== Religion and mythology ==
The [[Abrahamic religions]] recognize the biblical account of [[Cain and Abel]] as the first fratricidal [[murder]] to be committed. In the [[Roman mythology|mythology of ancient Rome]], the city is founded as the result of a fratricide, with the twins [[Romulus and Remus]] quarreling over who has the favour of the gods and over each other's plans to build [[Rome]], with Romulus becoming Rome's first king and namesake after killing his brother.<ref>The political significance of the founding fratricide is discussed at length by [[T.P. Wiseman]], ''Remus: A Roman Myth'' (Cambridge University Press, 1995) ''passim''.</ref>
The [[Abrahamic religions]] recognize the biblical account of [[Cain and Abel]] as the first fratricidal [[murder]] to be committed. In the [[Roman mythology|mythology of ancient Rome]], the city is founded as the result of a fratricide, with the twins [[Romulus and Remus]] quarreling over who has the favour of the gods and over each other's plans to build [[Rome]], with Romulus becoming Rome's first king and namesake after killing his brother.<ref>The political significance of the founding fratricide is discussed at length by [[T.P. Wiseman]], ''Remus: A Roman Myth'' (Cambridge University Press, 1995) ''passim''.</ref>

In [[Greek mythology]], [[Cassiphone]], the daughter of [[Odysseus]] and [[Circe]], killed her half-brother and husband [[Telemachus]] in revenge after he killed her mother Circe following a quarrell between the two.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = [[Brill's New Pauly]] | publisher = Brill Reference Online | url = https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/brill-s-new-pauly/cassiphone-e610200 | doi = 10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e610200 | last = Visser | first = Edzard | location = Basle | title = Cassiphone | date = 2006 | editor-first1 = Hubert | editor-last1 = Cancik | editor-first2 = Helmuth | editor-last2 = Schneider | translator = Christine F. Salazar | access-date = November 19, 2023}}</ref>


=== Osiris Myth ===
=== Osiris Myth ===
Line 18: Line 22:


===The Mahabharata and the Ramayana===
===The Mahabharata and the Ramayana===
In the Hindu epic [[Mahābhārata]], [[Karna]] was killed by [[Arjuna]] who was unaware that Karna was his eldest brother. Though not exactly fratricide, the otherwise meticulously pious Arjuna's actions.{{Clarify|date=October 2022}}
In the Hindu epic [[Mahābhārata]], [[Karna]] was killed by [[Arjuna]] who was unaware that Karna was his eldest brother.
However, the context of the crime becomes markedly different when seen from the following angle:

1. Arjuna was oath-bound to avenge the death of his only son and heir apparent Abhimanyu who had been mercilessly slaughtered by a group of bloodthirsty warriors which included Karna.

2. While Arjuna was unaware that Karna was his own biological brother, the latter was apprised of the same by their common mother Kunti. And hence, even though he was privy to the bond of brotherhood, Karna still wholeheartedly (due to his allegiance to prince Duryodana) and readily elected to indulge in fratricide.

The 13th century poet, Kavi Kabila, while commenting broadly on the [[Ramayana]] and on Rama's killing of Raavan with the active support of the latter's estranged younger brother Vibhisan – upon whom Raavan had vowed black vengeance and on the killing of Bali (again by Rama) with the ready contrivance of his younger, disgruntled and banished, sibling Sugreev, has succinctly expressed this in a couplet:
:"Irony? What Irony?! If not that the seed of destruction carried in the heart of one brother was sowed and reaped to the full by the hand of another!"


==Roman Empire==
==Roman Empire==


The only known fratricide in the [[Roman Empire]] is the reasonably well-known murder of [[Geta (emperor)|Geta]] on the orders of his brother [[Caracalla]] in 211. The brothers had a fraught relationship enduring many years; upon their father [[Septimius Severus]]'s death in February 211, they succeeded him as co-emperors. Their joint rule was embittered and unsuccessful, with each of them conspiring to have the other one murdered. In December of that year, Caracalla pretended to be holding a reconciliation in their mother [[Julia Domna]]'s apartment when Geta was lured to come unarmed and unguarded. A group of [[Centurion]]s loyal to Caracalla ambushed him upon Geta's arrival, with Geta dying in his mother's arms.<ref>Wikipedia, "Caracalla"</ref> It is said that the fratricide would often come back to haunt Caracalla.
The only known fratricides in the [[Roman Empire]] are [[Romulus]] killing [[Remus]] and the reasonably well-known murder of [[Geta (emperor)|Geta]] on the orders of his brother [[Caracalla]] in 211. The brothers had a fraught relationship enduring many years; upon their father [[Septimius Severus]]'s death in February 211, they succeeded him as co-emperors. Their joint rule was embittered and unsuccessful, with each of them conspiring to have the other one murdered. In December of that year, Caracalla pretended to be holding a reconciliation in their mother [[Julia Domna]]'s apartment when Geta was lured to come unarmed and unguarded. A group of [[Centurion]]s loyal to Caracalla ambushed him upon Geta's arrival, with Geta dying in his mother's arms.<ref>Wikipedia, "Caracalla"</ref> It is said that the fratricide would often come back to haunt Caracalla.

In Roman Mythology, [[Romulus]], or one of his followers, kills his twin brother [[Remus]] and goes on to found [[Rome]]. How and why the death occurred is debated and is not known for sure.


==Persian Empire==
==Persian Empire==

There are many recorded fratricides in Persia, the most famous of which involving [[Cyrus the Great]]'s sons [[Cambyses II]] and [[Bardiya]], the former killing the latter. There are also stories about the sons of [[Artaxerxes I]], [[Xerxes II]], [[Sogdianus]], and [[Darius II]], all of which concern competition for the throne. In addition, there were many fratricides recorded during the [[Parthian Empire|Parthian]] and [[Sassanid Empire|Sassanid]] Empires.
There are many recorded fratricides in Persia, the most famous of which involving [[Cyrus the Great]]'s sons [[Cambyses II]] and [[Bardiya]], the former killing the latter. There are also stories about the sons of [[Artaxerxes I]], [[Xerxes II]], [[Sogdianus]], and [[Darius II]], all of which concern competition for the throne. In addition, there were many fratricides recorded during the [[Parthian Empire|Parthian]] and [[Sassanid Empire|Sassanid]] Empires.


Line 43: Line 36:


==Ottoman Empire==
==Ottoman Empire==
Fratricide was not originally legal in the [[Ottoman Empire]]. The practice of fratricide was legalized by [[Mehmed II]]. His grandfather, [[Mehmed I]], struggled over the throne with his brothers [[Süleyman Çelebi|Süleyman]], [[İsa Çelebi|İsa]], and [[Musa Çelebi|Musa]] during the [[Ottoman Interregnum]]. This civil war lasted eight years and weakened the empire due to the casualties it inflicted and the division it sowed in Ottoman society. As a result, Mehmed II formally legalized the practice of fratricide in order to preserve the state and not further place strain on the unity as previous civil wars did. Mehmed II stated, "Of any of my sons that ascends the throne, it is acceptable for him to kill his brothers for the common benefit of the people (''nizam-i alem''). The majority of the ''ulama'' (Muslim scholars) have approved this; let action be taken accordingly."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ekinci |first1=Ekrem |title=The history of fratricide in the Ottoman Empire – Part 1 |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2015/08/07/the-history-of-fratricide-in-the-ottoman-empire--part-1 |website=Daily Sabah |date=7 August 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2020}}</ref>


When Mehmed's son, [[Bayezid II]] died, his son [[Selim I]] immediately assumed the throne and proceeded to execute his two brothers [[Şehzade Ahmet|Ahmed]] and [[Şehzade Korkut|Korkut]]. The largest practice of fratricide was committed by [[Mehmed III]] when he had 19 of his brothers and half-brothers murdered and buried alongside their father. His successor [[Ahmed I]], when faced with public disapproval for the practice of fratricide, decided to outlaw the practice and replace it with seniority ascension system along with imprisonment in the [[Kafes]] of any prince who would be a possible threat to the throne.{{citation needed|date= October 2020}}
Fratricide was not a legal practice in the foundation of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. The practice of fratricide was legalized by [[Mehmed II]]. His grandfather, [[Mehmed I]], struggled over the throne with his brothers [[Süleyman Çelebi|Süleyman]], [[İsa Çelebi|İsa]], and [[Musa Çelebi|Musa]] during the [[Ottoman Interregnum]]. This civil war lasted eight years and weakened the empire due to the casualties it inflicted and the division it sowed in Ottoman society. As a result, Mehmed II formally legalized the practice of fratricide in order to preserve the state and not further place strain on the unity as previous civil wars did. Mehmed II stated, "Of any of my sons that ascends the throne, it is acceptable for him to kill his brothers for the common benefit of the people (''nizam-i alem''). The majority of the ''ulama'' (Muslim scholars) have approved this; let action be taken accordingly."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ekinci |first1=Ekrem |title=The history of fratricide in the Ottoman Empire – Part 1 |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2015/08/07/the-history-of-fratricide-in-the-ottoman-empire--part-1 |website=Daily Sabah |access-date=November 2, 2020}}</ref>

When Mehmed's son, [[Bayezid II]] died, his son [[Selim I]] immediately assumed the throne and proceeded to execute his two brothers [[Şehzade Ahmet|Ahmed]] and [[Şehzade Korkut|Korkut]]. The largest practice of fratricide was committed by [[Mehmed III]] when he had 19 of his brothers and half-brothers murdered and buried alongside their father. His successor [[Ahmed I]] when faced with public disapproval for the practice of fratricide decided to outlaw the practice and replace it with seniority ascension system along with imprisonment in the [[Kafes]] of any prince who would be a possible threat to the throne.{{cn|date= October 2020}}


== Mughal Empire ==
== Mughal Empire ==
Line 52: Line 44:


==Antigone==
==Antigone==

The events in the Greek tragedy Antigone unfold due to the previous war between the princely brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, who killed each other in combat. Polyneices had challenged his brother's claim to the throne of the city Thebes, and attacked the city with an army from Argos. Eteocles fought for Thebes to defend the city against Polyneices and his army. The two killed each other by stabbing in the heart.
The events in the Greek tragedy Antigone unfold due to the previous war between the princely brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, who killed each other in combat. Polyneices had challenged his brother's claim to the throne of the city Thebes, and attacked the city with an army from Argos. Eteocles fought for Thebes to defend the city against Polyneices and his army. The two killed each other by stabbing in the heart.


==Ashoka's Empire==
==Ashoka's Empire==

[[Ashoka]], also known as Chand-Ashoka (Cruel Ashoka), killed his brothers as punishment for the king's (his father) death and quarrel for the kingdom (war of succession). Later on, Ashoka conquered Greater India entire, before he adopted [[Buddhism]] and forsook war.
[[Ashoka]], also known as Chand-Ashoka (Cruel Ashoka), killed his brothers as punishment for the king's (his father) death and quarrel for the kingdom (war of succession). Later on, Ashoka conquered Greater India entire, before he adopted [[Buddhism]] and forsook war.


==Zulu Kingdom==
==Zulu Kingdom==
[[Shaka]], the Zulu king, was killed by his half-brother [[Dingane]] and his brother [[Mhlangana]] in 1828. Dingane became the Zulu leader until he was assassinated in 1840 in the [[Hlatikhulu Forest]].

[[Shaka]], the Zulu king, was killed by his half-brother [[Dingane]] and his brother [[Mhlangana]] in 1828. Dingane became the Zulu leader until he was assassinated in 1840 in the [[Hlatikhulu Forest]].

==In fiction==

=== Plays ===
* In [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s [[Hamlet]], Claudius kills the elder Hamlet and marries his wife to take the throne.

===Films===
* In the animated Disney film ''[[The Lion King]]'', [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]] commits fratricide on [[List of The Lion King (franchise) characters#Mufasa|Mufasa]] by casting him off a cliff into a [[wildebeest]] stampede below.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rubinstein |first1=Carin |title=PARENT & CHILD; Debating the Violence in 'Lion King' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/14/garden/parent-child-debating-the-violence-in-lion-king.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 14, 1994 |page=8|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
* In the religious horror film ''[[Mother!]]'', the older brother commits fratricide on the younger brother, as a retelling of the story of Cain and Abel.
* In the American crime film ''[[The Godfather Part II]]'', [[Michael Corleone]] kills [[Fredo Corleone|Fredo]], his older brother.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Armond |title=The Godfather Coda Mixes Crime, Politics, and Religion |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/12/movie-review-the-godfather-coda-the-death-of-michael-corleone/ |website=National Review |publisher=National Review, Inc |date=December 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pugliese |first1=Stanislao |title=Chris Cuomo's 'Fredo' slur rant is about more than race or the brother in 'The Godfather' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/chris-cuomo-s-fredo-slur-rant-about-more-race-or-ncna1042021 |website=NBC News |publisher=NBCUniversal Media |date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* In the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] superhero film ''[[Black Panther (film)|Black Panther]]'', [[T'Chaka]] kills his younger brother, N'Jobu, in defense of [[List of Marvel Comics characters: Z#Zuri|Zuri]], a [[Wakanda]]n warrior.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fennessey |first1=Sean |title='Black Panther' Is the First Time History Has Mattered in a Marvel Movie |url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2018/2/16/17020582/black-panther-marvel-mcu-history-iron-man-captain-america |website=The Ringer |publisher=Spotify |date=February 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Franich |first1=Darren |title=In praise of Marvel's destructive Phase 3 films |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/24/marvel-phase-3-black-panther-thor-guardians/ |website=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Meredith Corporation |date=April 24, 2019}}</ref>
* In the superhero film ''[[Shazam! (film)|Shazam!]]'', [[Doctor Sivana|Dr. Sivana]] murders his abusive older brother, Sid, by throwing him out a window as revenge for all the years he bullied him.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knight |first1=Chris |title=Shazam!, DC's latest, is what happens when Superman meets Big |url=https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/movies/shazam-dcs-latest-is-what-happens-when-superman-meets-big |website=National Post |publisher=Postmedia Network Inc |date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>

===Books===
* ''[[Shahnameh]]'', the national epic of [[Greater Persia]], includes many fratricides. The most famous such story is that of the sons of [[Fereydun]], in which [[Salm (Shahnameh)|Salm]] and [[Tur (Shahnameh)|Tur]] commit fratricide on the younger brother, [[Iraj (Shahnameh)|Iraj]].
* There are also other stories in Shahnameh involving fratricide; [[Rustam]], the national hero of Greater Persia, and [[Aghrirat]], Prince of [[Turan]], are both killed by their brothers.
* In ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', [[Daenerys Targaryen]] saw her elder brother [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] killed by her husband, [[Khal Drogo]], pouring molten gold over his head.
* [[Stannis Baratheon]] kills his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon]] with a shadow assassin, though Renly intended to usurp the throne and kill Stannis.
* [[Euron Greyjoy]] admits to his brother Aeron Greyjoy that he slew their oldest full brother [[Balon Greyjoy]], though not personally, and that he killed two of their half-brothers, Harlon Greyjoy and Robyn Greyjoy.
* Historically, during "The Blackfyre Rebellion", Brynden Rivers slew his half-brother, the King-claimant Daemon I Blackfyre, when he rose against their mutual half-brother Daeron II Targaryen.
* In ''[[The Hedge Knight]]'' Prince Maekar Targaryen accidentally kills his eldest brother Prince Baelor Targaryen in a trial by combat.
* Also, at the Dance of the Dragons, an inter-Targaryen civil war, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] was killed by her half-brother, [[Aegon II]] by incinerating her in dragon's flame.
* In Dante's ''[[Divine Comedy]]'', Caina is the first of the four divisions of a Circle and takes its name from the first fratricide, the murderer Cain.
* In Canto 32 of ''Divine Comedy'', Alessandro and Napoleone, sons of Alberto degli Alberti, lord of Falterona in the valley of the Bisenzio are examples of fratricide.


==See also==
==See also==
{{wiktionary}}
* ''[[A Fratricide]]'' by [[Franz Kafka]]
* ''[[A Fratricide]]'' by [[Franz Kafka]]
* [[List of fratricides in fiction]]
* [[Cain and Abel]]
* [[Cain and Abel]]
* [[Romulus and Remus]]
* [[Romulus and Remus]]
* [[List of fratricides]]
* [[Suicide]], the killing of one's self
* [[Friendly fire]], fratricide in the martial sense
* [[Friendly fire]], fratricide in the martial sense
* {{Section link|List of types of killing|Killing of family}}
Familial killing terms:
* [[Avunculicide]], the killing of one's uncle
* [[Filicide]], the killing of one's child
* [[Mariticide]], the killing of one's husband
* [[Matricide]], the killing of one's mother
* [[Nepoticide]], the killing of one's nephew
* [[Parricide]], the killing of one's parents or another close relative
* [[Patricide]], the killing of one's father
* [[Infanticide|Prolicide]], the killing of one's offspring
* [[Sororicide]], the killing of one's sister
* [[Uxoricide]], the killing of one's wife

Non-familial killing terms from the same root:
* [[Deicide]], the killing of a god
* [[Ecocide]], the killing of the ecology of planet Earth
* [[Genocide]], the killing of a large group of people, usually a specific and entire ethnic, racial, religious or national group
* [[Homicide]], the killing of any human
* [[Infanticide]], the killing of an infant from birth to 12 months
* [[Regicide]], the killing of a monarch (king or ruler)
* [[Specicide]], eradicating an entire species
* [[Tyrannicide]], the killing of a tyrant


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Familicides]]
[[Category:Killings by type]]
[[Category:Homicide]]
[[Category:Homicide]]
[[Category:Death of men]]
[[Category:Death of men]]

Latest revision as of 23:06, 13 August 2024

Cain kills Abel, a fratricide illustrated by Gustave Doré ("And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him.")[1]

Fratricide (from Latin fratricidium; from frater 'brother' and -cīdium 'killing' – the assimilated root of caedere 'to kill, cut down') is the act of killing one's own brother.

It can either be done directly or via the use of either a hired or an indoctrinated intermediary (an assassin). The victim need not be the perpetrator's biological brother. In a military context, fratricide refers to a service member killing a comrade.

The term is often used metaphorically to refer to civil wars.[2][3]

Religion and mythology

[edit]

The Abrahamic religions recognize the biblical account of Cain and Abel as the first fratricidal murder to be committed. In the mythology of ancient Rome, the city is founded as the result of a fratricide, with the twins Romulus and Remus quarreling over who has the favour of the gods and over each other's plans to build Rome, with Romulus becoming Rome's first king and namesake after killing his brother.[4]

In Greek mythology, Cassiphone, the daughter of Odysseus and Circe, killed her half-brother and husband Telemachus in revenge after he killed her mother Circe following a quarrell between the two.[5]

Osiris Myth

[edit]

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the god Osiris is murdered by his brother Set who usurps the throne.

The Mahabharata and the Ramayana

[edit]

In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, Karna was killed by Arjuna who was unaware that Karna was his eldest brother.

Roman Empire

[edit]

The only known fratricides in the Roman Empire are Romulus killing Remus and the reasonably well-known murder of Geta on the orders of his brother Caracalla in 211. The brothers had a fraught relationship enduring many years; upon their father Septimius Severus's death in February 211, they succeeded him as co-emperors. Their joint rule was embittered and unsuccessful, with each of them conspiring to have the other one murdered. In December of that year, Caracalla pretended to be holding a reconciliation in their mother Julia Domna's apartment when Geta was lured to come unarmed and unguarded. A group of Centurions loyal to Caracalla ambushed him upon Geta's arrival, with Geta dying in his mother's arms.[6] It is said that the fratricide would often come back to haunt Caracalla.

Persian Empire

[edit]

There are many recorded fratricides in Persia, the most famous of which involving Cyrus the Great's sons Cambyses II and Bardiya, the former killing the latter. There are also stories about the sons of Artaxerxes I, Xerxes II, Sogdianus, and Darius II, all of which concern competition for the throne. In addition, there were many fratricides recorded during the Parthian and Sassanid Empires.

Tang Empire

[edit]

Prince Li Shimin (Prince of Qin), the second son of Emperor Gaozu, was in an intense rivalry with his elder brother Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and younger brother Prince Li Yuanji (Prince of Qi). He took control and set up an ambush at Xuanwu Gate, the northern gate leading to the Palace City of the imperial capital Chang'an. There, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were murdered by Li Shimin and his men. Within three days after the coup, Li Shimin was installed as the crown prince. Emperor Gaozu abdicated another sixty days later and passed the throne to Li Shimin, who would become known as Emperor Taizong.

Ottoman Empire

[edit]

Fratricide was not originally legal in the Ottoman Empire. The practice of fratricide was legalized by Mehmed II. His grandfather, Mehmed I, struggled over the throne with his brothers Süleyman, İsa, and Musa during the Ottoman Interregnum. This civil war lasted eight years and weakened the empire due to the casualties it inflicted and the division it sowed in Ottoman society. As a result, Mehmed II formally legalized the practice of fratricide in order to preserve the state and not further place strain on the unity as previous civil wars did. Mehmed II stated, "Of any of my sons that ascends the throne, it is acceptable for him to kill his brothers for the common benefit of the people (nizam-i alem). The majority of the ulama (Muslim scholars) have approved this; let action be taken accordingly."[7]

When Mehmed's son, Bayezid II died, his son Selim I immediately assumed the throne and proceeded to execute his two brothers Ahmed and Korkut. The largest practice of fratricide was committed by Mehmed III when he had 19 of his brothers and half-brothers murdered and buried alongside their father. His successor Ahmed I, when faced with public disapproval for the practice of fratricide, decided to outlaw the practice and replace it with seniority ascension system along with imprisonment in the Kafes of any prince who would be a possible threat to the throne.[citation needed]

Mughal Empire

[edit]

In the Mughal Empire, fratricides often occurred as a result of wars of succession. Shah Jahan had his eldest brother Khusrau Mirza killed in 1622.[8] Shah Jahan also had his brother Shahriyar killed in 1628. Shah Jahan's son, Dara Shikoh was assassinated by four of his brother Aurangzeb's henchmen in front of his terrified son on the night of 30 August 1659 (9 September Gregorian).

Antigone

[edit]

The events in the Greek tragedy Antigone unfold due to the previous war between the princely brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, who killed each other in combat. Polyneices had challenged his brother's claim to the throne of the city Thebes, and attacked the city with an army from Argos. Eteocles fought for Thebes to defend the city against Polyneices and his army. The two killed each other by stabbing in the heart.

Ashoka's Empire

[edit]

Ashoka, also known as Chand-Ashoka (Cruel Ashoka), killed his brothers as punishment for the king's (his father) death and quarrel for the kingdom (war of succession). Later on, Ashoka conquered Greater India entire, before he adopted Buddhism and forsook war.

Zulu Kingdom

[edit]

Shaka, the Zulu king, was killed by his half-brother Dingane and his brother Mhlangana in 1828. Dingane became the Zulu leader until he was assassinated in 1840 in the Hlatikhulu Forest.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Genesis 4:48". 21st Century King James Version. Retrieved 2009-04-07 – via BibleGateway.
  2. ^ Murrell Taylor, Amy (2009). The Divided Family in Civil War America. University of Carolina Press. p. 71.
  3. ^ McNelis, Charles (2007). Statius' Thebaid and the Poetics of Civil War. Cambridge University Press. p. 4.
  4. ^ The political significance of the founding fratricide is discussed at length by T.P. Wiseman, Remus: A Roman Myth (Cambridge University Press, 1995) passim.
  5. ^ Visser, Edzard (2006). "Cassiphone". In Cancik, Hubert; Schneider, Helmuth (eds.). Brill's New Pauly. Translated by Christine F. Salazar. Basle: Brill Reference Online. doi:10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e610200. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Wikipedia, "Caracalla"
  7. ^ Ekinci, Ekrem (7 August 2015). "The history of fratricide in the Ottoman Empire – Part 1". Daily Sabah. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  8. ^ Mahajan, V.D. (2007). History of Medieval India. New Delhi. pp. 126–7. ISBN 978-81-219-0364-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)