Decimation facts for kids

Decimation was a very strict form of punishment used in ancient times, especially by the Roman army. It meant that one out of every ten people in a group was chosen to be punished, often severely, as a way to discipline the entire group. This was done when a whole unit, like a group of soldiers, had done something very wrong, such as refusing to fight or running away from a battle.

What is Decimation?

Decimation comes from the Latin word decimatio, which means "removal of a tenth." It was a rare but extremely harsh military punishment. The idea was to hold everyone in a group responsible for the actions of a few, or for a collective failure. By punishing a small part of the group, the leaders hoped to scare the rest into following orders and being more disciplined.

Decimation in Ancient Rome

The most famous use of decimation was by the Roman army. It was used when a legion (a large group of soldiers) or a smaller unit showed extreme cowardice, mutiny (rebellion against authority), or serious disobedience. It wasn't used for minor mistakes but for actions that threatened the entire army's success or the state's safety.

How it Worked

When a unit was to be decimated, the soldiers were divided into groups of ten. Then, lots were drawn. The soldier who drew the short straw, or whatever method was used, was chosen for punishment. The other nine soldiers in that group were sometimes made to carry out the punishment themselves. This was meant to make the punishment even more terrifying and to force the soldiers to be responsible for each other's actions.

Famous Examples

One well-known example happened during the Third Servile War (the Spartacus revolt) around 71 BC. The Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus reportedly used decimation on some of his legions that had shown cowardice in battle. This extreme measure helped Crassus restore strict discipline among his troops, which was crucial for defeating the rebel forces led by Spartacus.

Why Was it So Harsh?

Decimation was not just about punishing individuals; it was about sending a strong message to everyone. The Roman army relied on strict discipline and loyalty. If soldiers rebelled or refused to fight, it could lead to the downfall of the army and even the empire. By using decimation, commanders aimed to:

• Restore discipline: It showed that disobedience would not be tolerated.
• Instill fear: The fear of such a severe punishment made soldiers think twice before breaking rules.
• Prevent future rebellions: It acted as a powerful warning to other units.

The psychological impact on the surviving soldiers was immense. They had witnessed their comrades being punished for the group's actions, which often created a strong bond of fear and obedience.

Decimation Today

The practice of decimation as a military punishment is no longer used by modern armies. It is considered too extreme and goes against modern ideas of justice and human rights.

However, the word "decimate" is still used today, but its meaning has changed. When people say something was "decimated," they usually mean it was greatly reduced in number or severely damaged. For example:

• "The forest fire decimated the trees." (Meaning a large number of trees were destroyed.)
• "The illness decimated the population." (Meaning many people in the population were lost.)

So, while the ancient punishment is gone, the word lives on to describe something that has been severely cut down or destroyed.