President Trump has frequently used the term “decimate” to describe U.S. military actions against Iran, though the word’s original meaning is quite different. Historically, “decimate” comes from the Latin “decimatio,” which referred to a brutal Roman military punishment where one-tenth of a group of soldiers was killed to discipline the rest. This practice was used to deter cowardice and maintain order without significantly weakening the army. An example occurred in 72 B.C. when General Crassus ordered a decimation during the Third Servile War against Spartacus’ rebellion. The term has since evolved to mean widespread destruction, but its origins highlight a specific and harsh form of discipline.
QUESTION: How might understanding the historical context of words like “decimate” change the way we interpret modern political statements?
‘Decimate’ means much more today than it did in ancient Rome
