Legal Definitions - parricidium

Parricidium is a term from ancient Roman law that refers to a specific and particularly heinous type of murder. It primarily denotes the act of killing a close family member, most notably a parent.

Historically, in the earliest Roman legal traditions, parricidium sometimes had a broader meaning, potentially encompassing the murder of any free citizen. However, this expansive definition later narrowed significantly. The general term for killing a human being, homicidium (homicide), became the standard for most killings, while parricidium retained its specific focus on the murder of a near relative.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of parricidium:

• Example 1: A man, driven by greed, plans and carries out the murder of his elderly father to inherit his estate more quickly.

  Explanation: This scenario perfectly illustrates parricidium because it involves the murder of a parent by their child, which is the most central and emphasized aspect of the term's definition.

• Example 2: A woman, after years of conflict, intentionally causes the death of her estranged mother.

  Explanation: Similar to the first example, this situation is a clear instance of parricidium, as it describes the killing of a mother by her daughter, directly aligning with the core meaning of murdering a parent.

• Example 3: In a fit of rage, a man fatally assaults his adult brother during an argument over a family inheritance.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates parricidium in the context of killing a "near relative." While not a parent, a sibling is considered a close family member, thus falling under the broader scope of the term as the murder of a close kin.