The Illustrated Guide to Terrorism

Chapter 1: What Is Terrorism?

Page 14: The Sicarii’s True Motives

NARRATOR

So why TERROR? Why did the Sicarii–educated scholars and idealists–think that KILLING people was going to bring about the change they wanted?

Hooded Sicarius with hostage, and happy Sicarius.

HOODED SICARIUS

Extortion comes to mind.

For some reason, those in power seem to like things just the way they are.

And the rest of society is too bling to see the need for change.

HAPPY SICARIUS

So it’s up to us to hold a knife to people’s throats — to force them to see things our way.

Sicarius being berated by a middle-aged couple.

MAN

You honestly believe a few murders will make Rome change its imperial policy?

SICARIUS

Extortion and punishment! God demands retribution upon the so-called “elites” for allowing everything to go so wrong.

WOMAN

Ha! Who made you judge and executioner?

And seriously… frustrated threats and lashing out in anger? That’s your strategy to change the world?

Three Sicarii striking a heroic pose, gazing up into the beams of a new dawn

SICARII

Of course not. There’s more to our strategy than that.

We never meant to fight the power alone.

Real change has to come from the masses.

A violent uprising of the masses, to be precise!

The problem is, see, if we wait for the masses to rise up, it’ll never happen.

If only they’d realize what they might accomplish!

Slender Sicarius lifting out his arms to an assembled multitude, looking vaguely reminiscent of a hooded cobra.

So our big strategy… our main goal… is to inspire the people of Judea to fight their own revolution!

Wake UP sheeple!

SEE that your leaders are evil!

SEE that they are your oppressors!

See how they CAN be defeated!

NARRATOR

Looking beyond the obvious to discover their actual strategy helps us better understand the Sicarii’s TACTICS.

Three Sicarii stick figures.

SICARII

It’s why we aren’t killing just any random Joe.

It’s why we’re carefully selecting our victims from the ruling class, priests, and the powerful.

And why we’re killing Jews only. No Romans!

We saw what happened to those who rebelled against Romans back in ’04.

Can’t inspire a revolution if we get ourselves crucified, can we?

Anyway, it’s the collaborators who need to be punished — the corruption within that must be cleansed.

Recap of the assassination scene with the wealthy merchant-looking victim.

ASSASSIN 1

So if you’re Jewish, and your family is priests, royals, or rich, then you ought to be shaking in your sandals!

MERCHANT

But I’m a good person! I obey God’s law faithfully!

ASSASSIN 2

The facts are not important. Your symbolic value is all that matters.

Visibly killing you raises awareness, sending our message to everyone else.

“Murder as marketing,” I believe you said?