The Illustrated Guide to Terrorism

Chapter 1: What Is Terrorism?

Page 17: The Evolution of Sicarii Tactics

NARRATOR

Was terrorism an effective strategy? Judge for yourself.

Man in crowd on the ground, clutching a stab wound. As people run to see and help, a Sicarius strolls away whistling casually.

As we know, the Sicarii began by assassinating elites in broad daylight, where plenty of people could SEE. These were solo missions, carried out by lone assassins who could blend in with the crowd.

Two Sicarii, one confused, one adamant.

The attacks went according to plan, yet somehow nobody was inspired to rise up, overthrow the ruling class, and kick Rome out of Judea.

CONFUSED SICARIUS

I don’t understand.

The strategy made perfect sense in our meetings.

ADAMANT SICARIUS

It still makes sense! These local yokels just haven’t gotten the message.

What we need to do is make our point more emphatically.

The killings will continue until their morale improves!

Happy Sicarius stick figure running with a torch from a burning house to a village

And so the Sicarii upped their game. TEAM missions invaded the peaceful suburbs, where the big shots had country homes. After breaking into an estate, they’d kill every man, woman, and child in the house, and then burn the home to the ground.

HAPPY LITTLE SICARIUS

Sometimes we’d set fire to the surrounding village as well!

NARRATOR

Oddly enough, THAT didn’t seem to work, either.

Triumphant Sicarius with his foot on a dead victim, posing to invite praise from a group of grieving family members

TRIUMPHANT SICARIUS

Are you not inspired?

Have we raised your awareness?

GRIEVING FATHER

Oh, we’re aware, all right.

We’re aware that you’re a bunch of violent assholes.

NARRATOR

With each attack, public sentiment grew stronger …AGAINST the Sicarii. When the crackdown came, it came down HARD.

CRUNCH sound effect slamming down, with BLEED and BLEED

Hostage-taking Sicarius with frightened victim

NARRATOR

Unexpectedly giving the Sicarii a NEW strategy:

SICARIUS (happily)

Hostages!

VICTIM

Im mah!

NARRATOR

Several of the Sicarii had been taken prisoner during the crackdown. Hoping to force their release, teams of Sicarii KIDNAPPED important Jews (or their children), and held them HOSTAGE until their demands were met.

The very first time they tried it?

Guard shoving prisoners back to some surprised Sicarii

GUARD

Fine, you win. Your friends are free to go.

SURPRISED SICARII 1

[ancient curse words] It worked?

SURPRISED SICARII 2

At last!

So now we know…

NARRATOR

They learned fast.