Fratricide means literally killing one's own brother, emphasizing family tragedy. In ancient dramas, fratricide is a recurring theme signifying ultimate betrayal.
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Gender Neutral
Fratricide refers to killing of both brothers and sisters, not just male siblings. The law reforms categorized both brother and sister killing as fratricide.
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Historical Usage
Fratricide is historically associated with power struggles in royalty and mythology. Cain's fratricide of Abel is one of the earliest stories of such a crime.