In the military of ancient Rome, decimation (from Latin decimatio 'destruction of a tenth'[1]) was a form of military discipline in which every tenth man in a group was executed by members of his cohort.

Dec 22, 2025 · The Roman army thrived on discipline. Cruel punishments such as decimation, literally meaning ‘removal of a tenth’ in Latin, kept soldiers in line.

Jun 10, 2023 · Decimation may be an ancient punishment, but it’s retained its potency. Used sparingly by the Romans, it nevertheless developed a terrifying reputation that cast a long shadow across history.

Nov 22, 2024 · The Roman practice of decimation is a chilling reminder of the lengths ancient militaries went to maintain discipline. By systematically selecting and killing every tenth soldier, the Romans …

May 22, 2025 · Decimation, from the Latin ‘decimatio,’ meaning ‘removal of a tenth,’ was a disciplinary method as brutal as simple. In its most traditional form, it was employed by the Roman Army to …

Aug 24, 2024 · In order to keep the ruthless war machine that was the Roman army going, discipline was paramount. Penalising severe offences, such as desertion and mutiny, required a particularly …

Jul 20, 2024 · Learn about the barbaric practice of decimation and how it was used by the Roman army and throughout history to punish soldiers.

Oct 7, 2025 · Derived from the Latin “decimatus,” decimation literally means “the removal of a tenth.” Far from being a metaphor for total destruction, it described a methodical Roman military practice: …

Decimation was a brutal form of military punishment employed in ancient Rome to maintain discipline and order within the ranks of the Roman army. The term "decimation" originates from the Latin word …

3 days ago · Discover the brutal truth behind Roman decimation: a chilling military punishment used to instill fear and obedience in ancient armies.