Citation

Bratkowski S. Am. Behav. Sci. 2005; 48(6): 764-782.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0002764204272578

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

What is the meaning of the word terror and how has its meaning changed through the ages? This article sets out to show how that meaning changed from ancient Greece to the present day. Murders and massacres were an accepted and normal part of societies, and only very recently in history was the killing of defenseless people universally condemned, hence, the word terror or the concept of terrorism had no meaning in history until the modern era. The author provides numerous detailed examples of different types of killings and murders and how they were viewed by society and maintains that Christianity changed very little and that humankind has always provided a justification for killing and instilling terror in fellow humans.