more on this theme | more from this text
Full Idea
It is not unlawful to put a city to sack, if it is necessary for the conduct of the war …as a spur to the courage of the troops.
Gist of Idea
Sacking a city is lawful if it motivates the attacking troops
Source
Francis de Vitoria (On the Law of War [1525], p.184), quoted by Michael Walzer - Just and Unjust Wars 08
Book Ref
Walzer,Michael: 'Just and Unjust Wars' [Penguin 1984], p.134
A Reaction
Hideous. Presumably this would include raping the women. Could you motivate a football team in a similar way? Or to get your children to pass exams?
| 23569 | The only just cause for a war is a wrong received [Vitoria] |
| 23566 | Princes should not justify a war to their subjects, and doing so would undermine the state [Vitoria] |
| 23576 | Sacking a city is lawful if it motivates the attacking troops [Vitoria] |
| 23601 | Leaders can only attack foreigners who have done wrong (as with their own subjects) [Vitoria] |