Legal Definitions - parricidium

Definition: Parricidium is a Latin term used in Roman law to refer to the murder of a close family member, especially a parent. In ancient times, it was also used to describe the killing of any free citizen. However, in pre-Imperial law, the term was replaced by "homicidium" which included the killing of a slave.

One example of parricidium is the story of Oedipus, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. Another example is the case of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of killing her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892.

These examples illustrate the definition of parricidium as the act of killing a close family member, in this case, a parent. The term is used in legal contexts to describe the severity of the crime and the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator.