# Looting

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Looting
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Looting.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looting
> Source revision: 1356230593
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Indiscriminate taking of goods by force

"Looted" and "Plunder" redirect here. For other uses, see [Loot](/source/Loot_(disambiguation)) and [Plunder (disambiguation)](/source/Plunder_(disambiguation)).

Cartoon mocking the [Napoleonic looting of art](/source/Napoleonic_looting_of_art) by French troops

Part of a series on War Outline Index History Prehistoric Ancient Post-classical Early modern Industrial Modern Military Organization Command and control Defense ministry Reserves Ranks Branches: Army Navy Air force Marines Coast guard Border guard Special forces Cyber force Space force Specialties: Staff Engineers Intel Recon Medical Police Diving Pilot Land units: Infantry Armor Cavalry Artillery Special forces Signal corps Naval units: Warships Submarines Aircraft carriers Landing craft Auxiliary ships Air units: Fighters Bombers Command Close air support Electronic-warfare Reconnaissance Combat systems: Fire-control system Fire-control radar Director (military) Combat information center Sonar Radar Historical: Ship gun fire-control Gun data computer Torpedo data computer Development: Basic training Military maneuvers Combat training Battlespace Aerospace Aerial Airborne Space Land Cold-region Desert Fortification Jungle Mountain Urban Subterranean Tunnel Sea Amphibious Blue Brown Green Surface Underwater Seabed Cyber Information Night Technology Air defense Armor Artillery Barrage Biological Camouflage Cavalry Horses Air cavalry Chemical Combined arms Conventional Cyber Denial Disinformation Drone / Robot Electromagnetic Firearms Infantry Loitering Missile Music Nuclear Psychological Radiological Submarine Unconventional Tactics List of military tactics Aerial Airlift Air assault Airbridge Airdrop Anti-aircraft Anti-sub Anti-tank Battle Cavalry Charge CQC Counterattack Counterinsurgency Convoy Defeat in detail Foxhole Drone Envelopment Formation Guerrilla Naval Shock Rapid dominance Encirclement Investment Siege Swarm Screen Tactical objective Target saturation Trench Withdrawal Operational Military operation Special Operations research Blitzkrieg Expeditionary Deep operation Maneuver Operational maneuver group Raid Covert Stay-behind Strategy List of military strategies and concepts Military campaign Anti-access Attrition Commerce raiding Counter-offensive Culminating Defense in depth Fabian Empty fort Kinetic Mosaic Deception Defensive Depth Goal Nuclear Naval Offensive Scorched earth Grand strategy Asymmetric Blockade Broken-backed Class Cold war Colonial Conquest Containment Divide and conquer Economic Endemic Fleet in being Irregular Liberation Limited Network-centric New generation Perpetual Political Princely Proxy Religious Resource Strategic Succession Technology Theater Total war World war Administrative Branch Policy Staff Training Service Sociology Organization Area of responsibility Chain of command Command and control Doctrine Order of battle Principles of war Economy of force Medicine Engineers Intelligence Ranks Personnel Recruitment Conscription Draft evasion Mobilization Training Specialism Soldier Morale Volunteer Women Children Transgender Harassment Conscientious objector Conscription and sexism Counter-recruitment Logistics History War economy Arms industry Materiel Train Supply-chain management Defense industrial base Base MOB FOB Outpost Science Power projection Loss-of-strength gradient Lanchester's laws Force multiplication Morale Law Belligerent Occupation Armistice Ceasefire Court-martial Desertion Geneva Conventions Geneva Protocol Islamic rules Justice Lawful / Unlawful combatant Perfidy Regular / Irregular Jewish laws on war Right of conquest Right of self-defense Rules of engagement Self-determination Martial law War crime War and genocide War treason Warlord Theory Air supremacy Appeasement Command of the sea Deterrence theory Full-spectrum dominance Overmatch Just war theory Principles of war Philosophy of war Security dilemma Tripwire force Wargaming Simulation Exercises Combat effectiveness Center of gravity Non-warfare Arms control Counter-insurgency Deterrence Disaster response Gray-zone Gunboat diplomacy Humanitarian aid Law enforcement Low-intensity conflict Military engineering Peacekeeping Peacebuilding Peace through strength Show of force Culture Awards and decorations Battle cry Warrior War film Military science fiction War novel Anti-war movement Foot drill War song Psychology Uniform Wargame Militarization / Militarism Antimilitarism Camp follower Related Women in war War resister War studies Horses in warfare Wartime sexual violence Fifth column Mercenary Pacifism Privateer Private military company Soldiers are murderers Category v t e

Criminal law Elements Actus reus Mens rea Causation Concurrence Scope of criminal liability Accessory Accomplice Complicity Corporate Principal Vicarious Severity of offense Felony (or Indictable offense) Misdemeanor (or Summary offense) Infraction (also called violation) Inchoate offenses Attempt Conspiracy Incitement Solicitation Offenses against the person Homicide Murder Manslaughter Corporate manslaughter Attempted murder Negligent homicide Assault Battery Mayhem Mutilation Torture Kidnapping False imprisonment Human trafficking Stalking Harassment Intimidation Domestic violence Hate crime Sexual & moral offences Rape Sexual assault Child sexual abuse Sex trafficking Sexual slavery Cybersex trafficking Sexual harassment Fornication Adultery Bigamy Incest Indecent exposure Voyeurism Obscenity Groping Offences against property Theft / Larceny Robbery Bank robbery Burglary Home invasion Arson Embezzlement Extortion Blackmail Fraud False pretenses Forgery Uttering Possessing stolen property Shoplifting Vandalism Mischief Cybercrime Offences against public justice Perjury Perverting the course of justice Contempt of court Bribery Malfeasance in office Misprision of felony Compounding a felony Offences against public order & state Treason Sedition Espionage Subversion Lèse-majesté Apostasy Genocide War crimes Piracy Political corruption Insider trading Smuggling Arms trafficking People smuggling Drug offences Offences against animals Cruelty to animals Poaching Wildlife smuggling Bestiality Defences to liability Actual innocence Self-defense Defense of others Defense of property Necessity Duress Insanity Diminished responsibility Automatism Intoxication Mistake of fact Mistake of law Ignorantia juris non excusat Infancy Entrapment Provocation Consent Statute of limitations Amnesty / Pardon Portals Law v t e

**Looting** is the act of stealing, or the taking of goods by force, typically in the midst of a military, political, or other social crisis, such as [war](/source/War),[1] [natural disasters](/source/Natural_disaster) (where law and civil enforcement are temporarily ineffective),[2] or [rioting](/source/Riot).[3] The proceeds of all these activities can be described as **booty**, **loot**, **plunder**, **spoils**, or **pillage**.[4][5] Throughout history, the practice of war looting was often considered a customary right of victorious armies until the development of modern international humanitarian law.[6]

Looting by a victorious army during war has been a common practice throughout recorded history.[7] In the wake of the [Napoleonic Wars](/source/Napoleonic_Wars) and particularly after [World War II](/source/World_War_II), norms against wartime plunder became widely accepted.[7] In modern [armed conflicts](/source/Armed_conflict), looting is prohibited by [international law](/source/International_law), and constitutes a [war crime](/source/War_crime).[8][9] The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 explicitly prohibited pillage and looting, codifying earlier efforts to restrain the practice in European warfare.[10]

## After disasters

During a disaster, [police](/source/Police) and [military](/source/Military) forces are sometimes unable to prevent looting when they are overwhelmed by humanitarian or combat concerns, or they cannot be summoned because of damaged communications infrastructure. Especially during natural disasters, many civilians may find themselves forced to take what does not belong to them in order to survive.[11] How to respond to that and where the line between unnecessary "looting" and necessary "[scavenging](/source/Waste_picker)" lies are often dilemmas for governments.[12][13] In other cases, looting may be tolerated or even encouraged by governments for political or other reasons, including religious, social or economic ones.

Following major disasters, reports of widespread looting are often amplified by media coverage, despite disaster research showing that post-disaster looting behavior is cooperative rather than criminal. Scholars in disaster sociology have argued that narratives of lawlessness exaggerate the scale of looting and can reinforce stereotypes about affected communities. Research conducted after Hurricane Katrina, for example, found that many widely circulated reports of violent crime and mass lootings were inaccurate or overstated as many incidents involved communities attempting to obtain essential supplies like food or water. Researchers have also distinguished between opportunistic theft and survival-driven behavior in situations where access to resources and emergency assistance has broken down.[14]

Disaster researchers have also observed that perceptions of looting can influence emergency response policies and public behavior during crises. Fears of widespread lawlessness have, in come cases, led authorities to prioritize security and policing over humanitarian assistance. Studies following Hurricane Katrina found that exaggerated reports of violence and looting contributed to delays in aid and reinforced public misconceptions about how people were behaving during disasters. Researchers generally argue that solidarity and cooperation are far more common responses than panic or criminal activity, a contrast to what is often portrayed in news and media outlets.[15][16]

Some disaster researchers have argued that reports of looting following disasters can reflect broader social racial tensions instead of actual patterns of criminal behavior. Analyses of media coverage after Hurricane Katrina found that similar actions were described differently depending on the individuals involved. For example, Black residents were more frequently portrayed as "looters" while white residents were described as "finding" or "recovering" supplies. Scholars and sociologists have cited these differences as evidence that disaster narratives can reinforce existing social inequalities and shape public perceptions of affected communities. These portrayals may influence political responses and the allocation of emergency resources during disaster recovery.[14][15]

## History

### In armed conflict

 The [sacking and looting of Mechelen by Spanish troops](/source/Spanish_Fury_at_Mechelen) led by the [Duke of Alba](/source/Fernando_%C3%81lvarez_de_Toledo%2C_3rd_Duke_of_Alba), 2 October 1572

Looting by a victorious army during war has been a common practice throughout recorded history.[7] Foot soldiers viewed plunder as a way to supplement an often-meagre income[17] and transferred wealth became part of the celebration of victory. In the wake of the [Napoleonic Wars](/source/Napoleonic_Wars) and particularly after [World War II](/source/World_War_II), norms against wartime plunder became widely accepted.[7]

In the upper ranks, the proud exhibition of the loot plundered formed an integral part of the typical [Roman triumph](/source/Roman_triumph), and [Genghis Khan](/source/Genghis_Khan) was not unusual in proclaiming that the greatest happiness was "to vanquish your enemies ... to rob them of their wealth".[18]

Representation of some Roman soldiers in front of the collected loot ([gouache](/source/Gouache) by [Pehr Hörberg](/source/Pehr_H%C3%B6rberg) of [1791](/source/1791))

The Greek historian [Polybius](/source/Polybius) recounts that in the [Roman era](/source/Roman_era) there existed a particular regulation concerning war booty after having [conquered a city](/source/Siege_warfare_in_ancient_Rome). Depending on the size of the city, the Romans assigned to the collection of booty, in some cases some men taken from each [maniple](/source/Maniple_(military_unit)), while at other times entire maniples.[19] They never, however, employed for this operation more than half of their troops. The others were arranged to control the key points of the city, both internally and externally, always ready to intervene at any moment.[20]

It should be added that in the republican period, since [consular armies](/source/Roman_army) were normally composed of two [legions](/source/Roman_legion) and two [*alae*](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ala_(Roman_army_unit)&action=edit&redlink=1) of [allied troops](/source/Auxilia), all those who were assigned to this action of plundering normally brought the share of booty they had taken to their own legion.[21]

The tribunes, once the entire booty had been sold, distributed the profit in equal parts to everyone, including those who had remained at their post performing a covering function, in addition to those placed to guard the camps, the sick, and also those who had been sent somewhere to perform some special duty but belonging to that particular consular army.[22] All this because no one may appropriate part of the booty without having been authorized by his tribune. All, in fact, must remain faithful to the oath taken at the moment of entering the army, when the recruits are assembled for the first time in the camp, in preparation for their first military campaigns.[23]

It is no coincidence that no one harbored distrust toward their comrades-in-arms; on the contrary everyone knew, both those who remained on cover duty and those who went to plunder the city, that each would be given his share, without anyone ever considering it appropriate to abandon his post in order to recover his portion of the booty, something that would have caused irreparable damage in an army.[24]

It is said that [Julius Caesar](/source/Julius_Caesar), not only did not remove from his soldiers during the [Gallic Wars](/source/Gallic_Wars) the possibility of taking booty, but to the poor and simple [legionary](/source/Roman_legionary), who had to keep clearly in mind the final objective of the campaign and whose actions were not to condition the operational plans of the commander, in [51](/source/51_BC)–[50 BC](/source/50_BC) he doubled the [pay](/source/Pay_(Roman_army)) from 5 to 10 asses per day (equal to 225 denarii annually), so much so that the pay of the legionary remained unchanged until the period of the emperor [Domitian](/source/Domitian) ([81](/source/AD_81)–[96](/source/AD_96)).[25]

It is said that the [conquest of Dacia](/source/Trajan's_Dacian_Wars) brought to the [emperor](/source/Roman_emperor) [Trajan](/source/Trajan) an enormous booty, estimated at five million [Roman pounds](/source/Ancient_Roman_units_of_measurement#Weight) of [gold](/source/Gold) (equal to 163.6 t) and double the amount of [silver](/source/Silver),[26] and an extraordinary quantity of other loot, in addition to half a million prisoners of war with their weapons. It was the fabulous treasure of [Decebalus](/source/Decebalus), which the king himself is said to have hidden in the bed of a small river (the *Sargetia*) near his capital, [Sarmizegetusa Regia](/source/Sarmizegetusa_Regia).[26][27] The same emperor was granted a grand [triumph](/source/Roman_triumph), with [gladiatorial](/source/Gladiator) spectacles, [chariot races](/source/Chariot_racing) in the [Circus Maximus](/source/Circus_Maximus), a new [forum](/source/Trajan's_Forum) and the construction of the famous [column](/source/Trajan's_Column), thirty meters high, on whose spiral frieze, two hundred meters long, the military deeds of Trajan and his generals were carved. A work of rare beauty and originality where, under the guidance of the great architect [Apollodorus of Damascus](/source/Apollodorus_of_Damascus), until the day of the inauguration (which took place on May 12 [113](/source/AD_113)), numerous sculptors worked on 155 scenes and 2500 figures.[28] Some have thought that these astonishing numbers were the result of a transcription error and that the real figure should be divided by ten but, even if that were the case, the result would remain exceptionally remarkable. In fact Trajan seems to have received from this immense booty about 2.7 billion sesterces, a figure clearly higher than the entire sum spent by Augustus and documented in his *[Res gestae divi Augusti](/source/Res_gestae_divi_Augusti)*. In addition to this, the conquest contributed to a permanent increase in revenues in the state treasury thanks to the mines of [western Dacia](/source/Dacia_(Roman_province)) which were reopened under the supervision of imperial officials.[29]

Looting was sometimes prohibited due to religious concerns. For example, [King Clovis I](/source/King_Clovis_I) of the Franks, forbade his soldiers to loot when they campaigned near [St Martin](/source/Martin_of_Tours)'s shrine in Tours, for fear of offending the saint.[30] In warfare in ancient times, the spoils of war included the defeated populations, which were often [enslaved](/source/Slavery). Women and children might become absorbed into the victorious country's population, as [concubines](/source/Concubine), [eunuchs](/source/Eunuch) and slaves.[31][32] In other pre-modern societies, objects made of precious metals were the preferred target of war looting, largely because of their ease of portability. In many cases, looting offered an opportunity to obtain [treasures and works of art](/source/Looted_art) that otherwise would not have been obtainable. Beginning in the [early modern period](/source/Early_modern_period) and reaching its peak in the [New Imperialism](/source/New_Imperialism) era, [European colonial powers](/source/History_of_colonialism) frequently looted areas they captured during military campaigns against non-European states.[33] In the 1930s, and even more so during the [Second World War](/source/World_War_II), [Nazi Germany](/source/Nazi_Germany) engaged in large-scale and organized [looting of art and property](/source/Nazi_plunder), particularly [in Nazi-occupied Poland](/source/World_War_II_looting_of_Poland).[34][35] The Soviet Union [did likewise](/source/Soviet_plunder).[36] On the smaller level, looting was done by other Allied forces too.[37]

Looting, combined with poor [military discipline](/source/Military_justice), has occasionally been an army's downfall[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] since troops who have dispersed to ransack an area may become vulnerable to counter-attack, a good example being during the 1967 [First Invasion of Onitsha](/source/First_Invasion_of_Onitsha), where the victorious [Nigerian troops](/source/Nigerian_Army) were encircled and annihilated while looting. In other cases, for example, the [Wahhabi sack of Karbala](/source/Wahhabi_sack_of_Karbala) in 1801 or 1802, loot has contributed to further victories for an army.[38] Not all looters in wartime are conquerors; the looting of [Vistula Land](/source/Vistula_Land) by the retreating [Imperial Russian Army](/source/Imperial_Russian_Army) in 1915[39] was among the factors sapping the loyalty of [Poles to Russia](/source/Poland_in_World_War_I). Local civilians can also take advantage of a breakdown of order to loot public and private property, as took place at the [Iraq Museum](/source/Iraq_Museum) in the course of the [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War) in 2003.[40] [Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy](/source/Leo_Tolstoy)'s novel *[War and Peace](/source/War_and_Peace)* describes widespread looting by [Moscow](/source/Moscow)'s citizens before [Napoleon](/source/Napoleon)'s troops [entered the city](/source/French_invasion_of_Russia) in 1812, along with looting by [French troops](/source/Grande_Arm%C3%A9e) elsewhere.

In 1990 and 1991, during the [Gulf War](/source/Gulf_War), [Saddam Hussein](/source/Saddam_Hussein)'s soldiers caused significant damage to both Kuwaiti and Saudi infrastructure. They also stole from private companies and homes.[41][42] In April 2003, looters broke into the National Museum of Iraq, and thousands of artefacts remain missing.[43][44]

Syrian conservation sites and museums were [looted during the Syrian Civil War](/source/List_of_heritage_sites_damaged_during_the_Syrian_Civil_War), with items being sold on the international [black market](/source/Black_market).[45][46] Reports from 2012 suggested that the antiquities were being traded for [weapons](/source/Weapons) by the various combatants.[47][48]

#### Prohibition under international law

Both [customary international law](/source/Customary_international_law) and international [treaties](/source/Treaty) prohibit pillage in [armed conflict](/source/War).[8] The [Lieber Code](/source/Lieber_Code), the Brussels Declaration (1874), and the [Oxford Manual](/source/Laws_of_War_on_Land_(Oxford_1880)) have recognized the prohibition against pillage.[8] The [Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907](/source/Hague_Conventions_of_1899_and_1907) ([modified in 1954](/source/Hague_Convention_for_the_Protection_of_Cultural_Property_in_the_Event_of_Armed_Conflict)) obliges military forces not only to avoid the destruction of enemy property but also to provide for its protection.[49] Article 8 of the [Statute of the International Criminal Court](/source/Statute_of_the_International_Criminal_Court) provides that in international warfare, "pillaging a town or place, even when taken by assault", is a [war crime](/source/War_crime).[8] In the aftermath of [World War II](/source/World_War_II), a number of war criminals were prosecuted for pillage. The [International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia](/source/International_Criminal_Tribunal_for_the_former_Yugoslavia) (1993–2017) brought several prosecutions for pillage.[8]

The [Fourth Geneva Convention](/source/Fourth_Geneva_Convention) of 1949 explicitly prohibits the looting of civilian property during wartime.[8][50]

Theoretically, to prevent such looting, unclaimed property is moved to the custody of the [Custodian of Enemy Property](/source/Custodian_of_Enemy_Property), to be handled until returned to its owners.

The International Criminal Court has prosecuted acts of pillage and looting as war crimes, including during conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.[51]

#### Modern conflicts

[Vandalized](/source/Vandalism) and looted [Aldi](/source/Aldi) store during the [George Floyd protests in Minneapolis](/source/George_Floyd_protests_in_Minneapolis%E2%80%93Saint_Paul), 28 May 2020

Despite international prohibitions against the practice of looting, the ease with which it can be done means that it remains relatively common, particularly during outbreaks of [civil unrest](/source/Civil_unrest) during which rules of war may not yet apply. The [2011 Egyptian Revolution](/source/2011_Egyptian_Revolution), for example, caused a significant increase in the looting of [antiquities](/source/Antiquities) from archaeological sites in Egypt, as the government lost the ability to protect the sites.[52] Other acts of modern looting, such as the looting and destruction of artifacts from the [National Museum of Iraq](/source/Iraq_Museum) by [Islamic State](/source/Islamic_State) militants, can be used as an easy way to express contempt for the concept of rules of war altogether.[53]

In the case of a sudden change in a country or region's government, it can be difficult to determine what constitutes looting as opposed to a new government taking custody of the property in question. This can be especially difficult if the new government is only partially recognized at the time the property is moved, as was the case during the [2021 Taliban offensive](/source/2021_Taliban_offensive), during which a number of artifacts and a large amount of property of former government officials who had fled the country fell into the hands of the [Taliban](/source/Taliban) before they were recognized as the legitimate government of [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan) by other countries. Further looting and burning of civilian homes and villages has been defended by the Taliban as within their right as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.[54]

Looting can also be common in cases where [civil unrest](/source/Civil_disorder) is contained largely within the borders of a country or during peacetime. Riots in the wake of the [2020 George Floyd protests](/source/George_Floyd_protests) in numerous American cities led to increased amounts of looting, as looters took advantage of the delicate political situation and civil unrest surrounding the riots themselves.[55][56][57] Up to 175 [Target](/source/Target_Corporation) stores closed Nationwide during the disturbances.[58][59]

During the ongoing [Kashmir conflict](/source/Kashmir_conflict), looting of [Kashmiris](/source/Kashmiris) trapped between the [Indian](/source/India) and [Pakistani](/source/Pakistan) militarized zones is common and widespread.[60]

In 2022, international observers accused [Russia](/source/Russia) of engaging in [large scale looting](/source/Looting_by_Russian_forces_during_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine) during the [Russo-Ukrainian War](/source/Russo-Ukrainian_War), reporting the widespread looting of everything from food to industrial equipment.[61] Despite the publication of numerous photos and videos by Ukrainian journalists and civilians, numerous Russian commanders have denied these claims. International observers have theorized that this looting is either the result of direct orders, despite to Russia's claims to the contrary, or due to Russian soldiers not being issued with adequate food and other resources by their commanders.[62] On 18 November 2022, the [University of Miami](/source/University_of_Miami) estimated that Russian forces in Ukraine had destroyed, pillaged, and looted at least 40 museums in Ukraine.[63]

Israeli soldiers testified to Haaretz in 2026 that IDF reservists were looting civilian property on a large scale in southern Lebanon during the [Hezbollah-Israel conflict](/source/Hezbollah%E2%80%93Israel_conflict_(2023%E2%80%93present)), openly bringing items back into Israel including motorcycles and sofas. Although officially prohibited, border checkpoints of the [military police](/source/Military_Police_Corps_(Israel)) were often removed.[64] Similar testimony was reported in 2025 by [Breaking the Silence](/source/Breaking_the_Silence_(organization)) regarding the same phenomenon in Gaza during the [Israel-Gaza war](/source/Gaza_war) which similarly was effectively ignored by the military police.[65] Another Haaretz article pointed out that looting was common throughout Israels conflicts since the state`s founding.[65]

## Archaeological removals

Further information: [Archaeological looting](/source/Archaeological_looting)

The term "looting" is also sometimes used to refer to [antiquities](/source/Antiquities) being removed from countries by unauthorized people, either domestic people breaking the law seeking monetary gain or foreign nations, which are usually more interested in prestige or previously, "scientific discovery". An example might be the removal of the contents of Egyptian tombs that were transported to museums across the [West](/source/Western_world).[66]

## Looting of industry

As part of [World War II reparations](/source/World_War_II_reparations), Soviet forces systematically plundered the [Soviet occupation zone](/source/Soviet_occupation_zone) of Germany, including the [Recovered Territories](/source/Recovered_Territories), which later transferred to Poland. The Soviets sent valuable industrial equipment, infrastructure and whole factories to the Soviet Union.[67][68]

Many factories in the [rebels](/source/Belligerents_in_the_Syrian_Civil_War)' zone of [Aleppo](/source/Aleppo) during the [Syrian Civil War](/source/Syrian_Civil_War) were reported as being plundered and their assets transferred abroad.[69][70] Agricultural products and electronic power plants were also seized, to be sold elsewhere.[71][72]

## Gallery

		- The aftermath of the plundering of the village of [Wommelgem](/source/Wommelgem) in 1589. [Eighty Years' War](/source/Eighty_Years'_War), painting by [Sebastiaen Vrancx](/source/Sebastiaen_Vrancx)

		- Private [security guards](/source/Security_guard), [barbed wire](/source/Barbed_wire) fencing, and boarded up windows to prevent looting of [department stores](/source/Saks_Fifth_Avenue) in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) during [mass unrest](/source/George_Floyd_protests) in the United States, 7 June 2020

		- The [Beit Ghazaleh](/source/Beit_Ghazaleh) Museum of Aleppo was looted of its contents prior to being hit by explosions (photo 2017)

		- General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Omar N. Bradley, and Lt. Gen. George S. Patton Jr., inspect art treasures stolen by Germans and hidden in salt mine in Germany (1945)

		- Looters attempting to enter a cycle shop in North London during the [2011 England riots](/source/2011_England_riots)

## See also

- [Crime portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Crime)
- [History portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:History)

- [Arson](/source/Arson)

- [Banditry](/source/Banditry)

- [Cattle raiding](/source/Cattle_raiding)

- [Conflict resource](/source/Conflict_resource)

- [Piracy](/source/Piracy)

- [Prize of war](/source/Prize_of_war)

- *[Spolia opima](/source/Spolia_opima)*, armour and arms a Roman general stripped from the body of an opposing commander slain in single combat

- [Slave raiding](/source/Slave_raiding)

- [Vandalism](/source/Vandalism)

- [Thak Thak gang](/source/Thak_Thak_gang)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_Baghdad_protests_1-0)** ["Baghdad protests over looting"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2941733.stm). *BBC News*. BBC. 12 April 2003. Retrieved 22 October 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_Americas_looting_2-0)** ["World: Americas Looting frenzy in quake city"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/262848.stm). *BBC News*. 28 January 1999. Retrieved 22 October 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_Argentine_3-0)** ["Argentine president resigns"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1722584.stm). *BBC News*. 21 December 2001. Retrieved 22 October 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["the definition of looting"](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/looting?s=t). *Dictionary.com*. Retrieved 12 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Booty – Define Booty at Dictionary.com"](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/booty).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Keegan, John. *A History of Warfare*. Vintage, 1994, p. 327.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_7-3) Sandholtz, Wayne (2008). ["Dynamics of International Norm Change: Rules against Wartime Plunder"](https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066107087766). *European Journal of International Relations*. **14** (1): 101–131. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/1354066107087766](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1354066107087766). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1354-0661](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1354-0661). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [143721778](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:143721778).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ICRC_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ICRC_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ICRC_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ICRC_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ICRC_8-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ICRC_8-5) [Rule 52. Pillage is prohibited.](https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule52), *Customary IHL Database*, [International Committee of the Red Cross](/source/International_Committee_of_the_Red_Cross) (ICRC)/[Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Hague Convention on the Law and Customs of War on Land](/source/Hague_Conventions_of_1899_and_1907#Hague_Convention_of_1899) (Hague II), [article 28](https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/hague02.asp).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Hague Convention IV (1907), Article 47.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Sawer, Philip Sherwell and Patrick (16 January 2010). ["Haiti earthquake: looting and gun-fights break out"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/haiti/7005554/Haiti-earthquake-looting-and-gun-fights-break-out.html). *The Daily Telegraph*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0307-1235](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0307-1235). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/haiti/7005554/Haiti-earthquake-looting-and-gun-fights-break-out.html) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Indonesian food minister tolerates looting"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/136582.stm). *BBC News*. 21 July 1998. Retrieved 11 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Jacob, Binu; Mawson, Anthony R.; Payton, Marinelle; Guignard, John C. (2008). ["Disaster Mythology and Fact: Hurricane Katrina and Social Attachment"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2496928). *Public Health Reports*. **123** (5): 555–566. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/003335490812300505](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F003335490812300505). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0033-3549](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0033-3549). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [2496928](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2496928). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [18828410](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18828410).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_14-1) van Brown, Bethany L. (2019). ["Conflict or consensus? Re-examining crime and disaster"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6739543). *Jamba (Potchefstroom, South Africa)*. **11** (1): 744. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4102/jamba.v11i1.744](https://doi.org/10.4102%2Fjamba.v11i1.744). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1996-1421](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1996-1421). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [6739543](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6739543). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [31534639](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31534639).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_15-1) ["Sage Journals: Discover world-class research"](https://journals.sagepub.com/action/cookieAbsent). *Sage Journals*. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/0002716205285589](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0002716205285589). Retrieved 15 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Milsten, Andrew M.; Kang, Christopher S.; Nemeth, Ira (27 August 2024). ["Maladaptive behaviors in disasters: case study evaluation of Hurricane Hugo, Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti Earthquake"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11384589). *Frontiers in Public Health*. **12** 1396517. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2024FrPH...1296517M](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024FrPH...1296517M). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3389/fpubh.2024.1396517](https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffpubh.2024.1396517). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2296-2565](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2296-2565). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [11384589](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11384589). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [39257945](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39257945).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hsc_17-0)** Hsi-sheng Chi (1976), *Warlord Politics in China, 1916–1928*, Stanford University Press, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0804708940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0804708940), str. 93[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Henry Hoyle Howorth (2008). [*History of the Mongols from the 9th to the 19th Century*](https://books.google.com/books?id=e4PErdXlLhwC&pg=PA110). Part 1: The Mongols Proper and the Kalmyks. Cosimo.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPolybius156816.2_19-0)** [Polybius 1568](#CITEREFPolybius1568), p. 16.2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPolybius156816.3_20-0)** [Polybius 1568](#CITEREFPolybius1568), p. 16.3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPolybius156816.4_21-0)** [Polybius 1568](#CITEREFPolybius1568), p. 16.4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPolybius156816.5_22-0)** [Polybius 1568](#CITEREFPolybius1568), p. 16.5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPolybius156816.6_23-0)** [Polybius 1568](#CITEREFPolybius1568), p. 16.6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPolybius156816.9_24-0)** [Polybius 1568](#CITEREFPolybius1568), p. 16.9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Alessandro Milan, *Le forze armate nella storia di Roma Antica*, Rome 1993, p. 95.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dione68.14.4-5_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dione68.14.4-5_26-1) Cassius Dio, LXVIII, 14, 4–5. Filippo Coarelli, *La colonna Traiana*, Rome, 1999, tables 164–165 (CI–CII/CXXXVII–CXL), pp. 208–209.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** [Pliny the Younger](/source/Pliny_the_Younger), *Epistulae*, VIII, 4, 2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Julian Bennett, *Trajan, Optimus Princeps*, Bloomington, 2001, p. 90.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Grigore Arbore Popescu, *Le strade di Traiano*, in *Traiano ai confini dell'Impero*, edited by Grigore Arbore Popescu, Milan, 1998, p. 190.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Gregory of Tours. *A History of the Franks*. Pantianos classics, 1916

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** John K. Thorton (1996). "African Background in American Colonization". In Stanley L. Engerman, Robert E. Gallman (ed.), *The Cambridge Economic History of the United States*, Cambridge University Press, 1996, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0521394422](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0521394422), p. 87. "African states waged war to acquire slaves ... raids that appear to have been more concerned with obtaining loot (including slaves) than other objectives."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** [John Bagot Glubb](/source/John_Bagot_Glubb), *The Empire of the Arabs*, Hodder and Stoughton, 1963, p. 283. "... thousand Christian captives formed part of the loot and were subsequently sold as slaves in the markets of Syria".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** [Cuno, James](/source/James_Cuno) (2002). *Whose Culture?: The Promise of Museums and the Debate over Antiquities*. [Princeton University Press](/source/Princeton_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0691154435](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0691154435).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** J. R. Kudelski (2004), *Tajemnice nazistowskiej grabieży polskich zbiorów sztuki*, Warsaw (in Polish).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Nazi loot claim 'compelling'"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2291481.stm). *BBC News*. 2 October 2002. Retrieved 11 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_36-0)** Akinsha, Konstantin (May 2010). ["Stalin's Decrees and Soviet Trophy Brigades: Compensation, Restitution in Kind, or "Trophies" of War?"](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-cultural-property/article/abs/stalins-decrees-and-soviet-trophy-brigades-compensation-restitution-in-kind-or-trophies-of-war/B25E3F28D47558EE022591FFA0231EB5). *International Journal of Cultural Property*. **17** (2): 195–216. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/S0940739110000093](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0940739110000093). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1465-7317](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1465-7317).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** Givens, Seth A. (1 January 2014). ["Liberating the Germans: The US Army and Looting in Germany during the Second World War"](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0968344513504521). *War in History*. **21** (1): 33–54. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/0968344513504521](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0968344513504521). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0968-3445](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0968-3445).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** Wayne H. Bowen (2008), [*The History of Saudi Arabia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=S6J2Q3TlJpMC&pg=PA73), Greenwood, p. 73. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0313340129](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0313340129)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** (in Polish) Andrzej Garlicki (1986), *Z dziejów Drugiej Rzeczypospolitej*, Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [8302022454](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/8302022454), p. 147

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** Myers, Steven Lee (23 February 2009), ["Iraq Museum Reopens Six Years After Looting"](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/world/middleeast/24museum.html), *The New York Times*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** Kelly, Michael (24 March 1991). ["The Rape and Rescue of Kuwaiti City"](https://newrepublic.com/article/76724/rape-rescue-kuwait-iraq-saddam-hussein). *The New Republic*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0028-6583](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-6583). Retrieved 10 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Oil Fires in Iraq"](https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/88666/oil-fires-in-iraq). *NASA Earth Observatory*. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** Barker, Craig. ["Fifteen years after looting, thousands of artefacts are still missing from Iraq's national museum"](https://theconversation.com/fifteen-years-after-looting-thousands-of-artefacts-are-still-missing-from-iraqs-national-museum-93949). *The Conversation*. Retrieved 13 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** Samuel, Sigal (19 March 2018). ["It's Disturbingly Easy to Buy Iraq's Archeological Treasures"](https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/iraq-war-archeology-invasion/555200/). *The Atlantic*. Retrieved 13 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** Swann, Steve (2 May 2019). ["'Loot-to-order' antiquities sold on Facebook"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47628369). *BBC News*. Retrieved 10 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** Harkin, James. ["The Race to Save Syria's Archaeological Treasures"](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/race-save-syrias-archaeological-treasures-180958097/). *Smithsonian Magazine*. Retrieved 10 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** Baker, Aryn (12 September 2012). ["Syria's Looted Past: How Ancient Artifacts Are Being Traded for Guns"](https://world.time.com/2012/09/12/syrias-looted-past-how-ancient-artifacts-are-being-traded-for-guns/). *Time*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0040-781X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0040-781X). Retrieved 10 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** Jaber, Hala; Arbuthnott, George. ["Syrians loot Roman treasures to buy guns"](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/syrians-loot-roman-treasures-to-buy-guns-q5z9fgzs9t0). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0140-0460](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0140-0460). Retrieved 10 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hague_49-0)** Barbara T. Hoffman (2006), [*Art and Cultural Heritage: Law, Policy, and Practice*](https://books.google.com/books?id=yvXTcGC5CwQC&pg=PA57), Cambridge University Press, p. 57. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0521857643](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0521857643)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gen_50-0)** E. Lauterpacht, C. J. Greenwood, Marc Weller (1991), [*The Kuwait Crisis: Basic Documents*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5xVSkGtcT5YC&pg=PA154), Cambridge University Press, p. 154. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0521463084](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0521463084)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** International Criminal Court. "Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga, Judgment pursuant to article 74 of the Statute." ICC-01/04-01/07, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** Gannon, Megan. ["'Space Archaeologists' Show Spike in Looting at Egypt's Ancient Sites"](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/space-archaeologists-show-spike-in-looting-at-egypt-s-ancient-sites/). *Scientific American*. Retrieved 20 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-53)** ["'Cultural War': Iraq Mourns Relics Destroyed by ISIS"](https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-uncovered/national-museum-iraq-director-discusses-isis-destruction-relics-n383706). *NBC News*. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-54)** ["Taliban looted, torched Afghan homes after evicting residents – Human Rights Watch"](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-looted-torched-afghan-homes-after-evicting-residents-human-rights-watch-2021-07-07/). *Reuters*. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-55)** Wagner, Dennis (15 June 2020). ["'Peaceful protests got hijacked': Some criminals used George Floyd protests as cover for looting, police say"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2020/06/15/criminals-used-george-floyd-protests-cover-looting-police-say/5324881002/). *USA Today*. Retrieved 20 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-56)** Tingston, Nhx (6 June 2020). ["Looter from BLM and George Floyd Protest Bragged About Theft on Facebook While Offering Stolen Goods for Sale"](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/250229/20200610/looter-from-blm-and-george-floyd-protest-bragged-about-theft-on-facebook-while-offering-stolen-goods-for-sale.htm). *Techtimes*. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-57)** ["List: Austin businesses looted during protests"](https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-protests-looting-george-floyd-mike-ramos/269-c532c593-a681-42db-8558-6b97a9e9f241). *KVUE*. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-58)** Voytko, Lisette (31 May 2020). ["Target Closes 175 Stores Nationwide In Wake Of George Floyd Protests, Looting"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/05/31/target-closes-175-stores-nationwide-in-wake-of-george-floyd-protests-looting/). *Forbes*. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-59)** ["VIDEO: People loot Minneapolis Target in wake of George Floyd protests"](https://www.kron4.com/news/national/video-people-loot-minneapolis-target-in-wake-of-george-floyd-protests/). *KRON4*. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-60)** ["Two arrested for beating, looting homeless man in Srinagar: Police"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220912093349/https://thekashmirwalla.com/two-arrested-for-beating-looting-homeless-man-in-srinagar-police/). *The Kashmir Walla*. 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** Fylyppov, Olexsandr; Lister, Tim (2 May 2022). ["Russians plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine – to find they've been remotely disabled"](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/01/europe/russia-farm-vehicles-ukraine-disabled-melitopol-intl/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 21 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-62)** ["'Hungry' Russian Soldiers Loot Ukrainian Shops"](https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-soldiers-loot-ukraine/31732450.html). *Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty*. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-63)** ["Ukrainian Culture at Risk: The "Legalized" Looting of Ukrainian Territories Under Russian Control | International and Comparative Law Review"](https://international-and-comparative-law-review.law.miami.edu/ukrainian-culture-at-risk-the-legalized-looting-of-ukrainian-territories-under-russian-control/). 18 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-64)** Kubovich, Yaniv (23 April 2026). ["Motorcycles, TVs and Couches Israeli Soldiers Testify to Widespread Looting in Lebanon: 'Commanders Know and Do Nothing'"](https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-04-23/ty-article/.premium/israeli-soldiers-testify-to-looting-in-lebanon-commanders-know-and-do-nothing/0000019d-b999-d2d7-af9f-bbb986480000). *Haaretz*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_65-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_65-1) Raz, Adam (1 May 2026). ["Looting Was Part of Every Israeli War. What's New Is the Total Indifference"](https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-05-01/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/looting-was-part-of-every-israeli-war-whats-new-is-the-total-indifference/0000019d-e244-d0b2-a3bf-e26ddd9b0000). *Haaretz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pyramid_66-0)** Handwerk, Brian (24 October 2006). ["Egypt's Antiquities Chief Combines Passion, Clout to Protect Artifacts"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061106190429/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061024-hawass.html). *National Geographic News*. Archived from [the original](http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061024-hawass.html) on 6 November 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IPN-MM_67-0)** ["Między Modernizacja a Marnotrawstwem"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050321165047/http://www.ipn.gov.pl/biuletyn/13/biuletyn02_2.html) (in Polish). [Institute of National Remembrance](/source/Institute_of_National_Remembrance). Archived from [the original](http://www.ipn.gov.pl/biuletyn/13/biuletyn02_2.html) on 21 March 2005. See also [other copy online](http://www.niniwa2.cba.pl/komunizm_gospodarka_prl_ipn.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070426011453/http://www.niniwa2.cba.pl/komunizm_gospodarka_prl_ipn.htm) 26 April 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IPN-Ś_68-0)** ["Armia Czerwona na Dolnym Śląski"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050321233124/http://www.ipn.gov.pl/biuletyn/4/biuletyn4_51.html) (in Polish). [Institute of National Remembrance](/source/Institute_of_National_Remembrance). Archived from [the original](http://www.ipn.gov.pl/biuletyn/4/biuletyn4_51.html) on 21 March 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-69)** ["Turkey looted Syria factory: Damascus – World News"](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-looted-syria-factory-damascus-38824). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-70)** Webel, Charles; Tomass, Mark (2017). [*Assessing the War on Terror: Western and Middle Eastern Perspectives*](https://books.google.com/books?id=IiIlDwAAQBAJ&q=looted+syria+industry+aleppo+factory&pg=PA75). Taylor & Francis. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1315469164](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1315469164).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-71)** Aljaleel, Alaa; Darke, Diana (2019). [*The Last Sanctuary in Aleppo: A remarkable true story of courage, hope and survival*](https://books.google.com/books?id=T2GHDwAAQBAJ&q=stealing+of+copper+wire+aleppo&pg=PT112). Headline. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1472260550](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1472260550).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-72)** Badcock, James (14 January 2019). ["Turkey accused of plundering olive oil from Syria to sell in the EU"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/14/turkey-accused-plundering-olive-oil-syria-sell-eu/). *The Telegraph*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0307-1235](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0307-1235). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/14/turkey-accused-plundering-olive-oil-syria-sell-eu/) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2020.

### Bibliography

**Primary sources**

- [Cassius Dio](/source/Cassius_Dio). [*Historia Romana*](https://web.archive.org/web/20150927112727/https://la.wikisource.org/wiki/Historia_romana_(Cassius_Dio)). Vol. libri LVIII. Archived from [the original](https://la.wikisource.org/wiki/Historia_romana_(Cassius_Dio)) on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

- [Storia romana](http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/home.html) — English translation on [LacusCurtius](/source/LacusCurtius).

- [Polybius](/source/Polybius) (1568). *[Storie (Ἰστορίαι)](/source/Histories_(Polybius))*. Vol. III–XV. English versions available [here](http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/home.html) and [here](http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0234%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D1).

- [Plinius Secundus](/source/Pliny_the_Younger), - [*Epistularum Libri Decem* (Latin text)](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/la:Epistularum_Libri_Decem_(Gaius_Plinius_Caecilius_Secundus)) - [*Panegyricus* (Latin text)](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/la:Panegyricus)

- [Titus Livy](/source/Livy). [*Ab Urbe condita libri*](https://la.wikisource.org/wiki/Ab_Urbe_Condita). Vol. XXI–XXX.

**Modern historiographical sources**

- Abudu, Margaret, et al., "Black Ghetto Violence: A Case Study Inquiry into the Spatial Pattern of Four Los Angeles Riot Event-Types", 44 *Social Problems* 483 (1997)

- Curvin, Robert and Bruce Porter (1979), *Blackout Looting*

- Dynes, Russell & Enrico L. Quarantelli, "What Looting in Civil Disturbances Really Means", in *Modern Criminals* 177 (James F. Short Jr., ed., 1970)

- Green, Stuart P., ["Looting, Law, and Lawlessness"](https://ssrn.com/abstract=917440), 81 *[Tulane Law Review](/source/Tulane_Law_Review)* 1129 (2007)

- Mac Ginty, Roger, "Looting in the Context of Violent Conflict: A Conceptualisation and Typology", 25 *Third World Quarterly* 857 (2004). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [3993697](https://www.jstor.org/stable/3993697).

- Stewart, James, ["Corporate War Crimes: Prosecuting Pillage of Natural Resources", 2010](https://ssrn.com/abstract=1875053)

- Kończal, Kornelia (2017), *Politics of Plunder. Post-German Property and the Reconstruction of East Central Europe after the Second World War*. EUI Florence.

- Kończal, Kornelia (2014), *Das Schreiben und das Schweigen über die Plünderung des deutschen Eigentums. Die identitätsstiftende Figur des szabrownik im Nachkriegspolen*, in: Włodzimierz Bialik, Czesław Karolak und Maria Wojtczak (ed.): Ungeduld der Erkenntnis. Eine klischeewidrige Festschrift für Hubert Orłowski, Peter Lang, Frankfurt a. M., p. 155–170.

- Kończal, Kornelia (2017), *The Quest for German Property in East Central Europe after 1945: The Semantics of Plunder and the Sense of Reconstruction*, in: Yvonne Kleinmann among others (ed.): Imaginations and Configurations of Polish Society. From the Middle Ages through the Twentieth Century, Göttingen: Wallstein, p. 291–312.

- Kończal, Kornelia (2021), *German Property and the Reconstruction of East Central Europe after 1945: Politics, Practices and Pitfalls of Confiscation*, in: European Review of History. Revue européenne d’histoire 28 (2), p. 278–300.

- E. Abranson and J. P. Colbus, *La vita dei legionari ai tempi della guerra di Gallia*, Milan 1979.

- G. Cascarino, *L'esercito romano. Armamento e organizzazione*, vol. I - *Dalle origini alla fine della repubblica*, Rimini 2007.

- G. Cascarino, *L'esercito romano. Armamento e organizzazione*, vol. II - *Da Augusto ai Severi*, Rimini 2008.

- G. Cascarino & C. Sansilvestri, *L'esercito romano. Armamento e organizzazione*, vol. III - *Dal III secolo alla fine dell'Impero d'Occidente*, Rimini 2009.

- P. Connolly, *Greece and Rome at war*, London 1998, ISBN 1-85367-303-X.

- Duncan-Jones, Richard (1994). [*Money and Government in the Roman Empire*](https://archive.org/details/moneygovernmenti0000dunc). Cambridge University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-44192-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-44192-6).

- A. K. Goldsworthy, *Storia completa dell'esercito romano*, Modena 2007, ISBN 978-88-7940-306-1.

- L. Keppie, *The Making of the Roman Army, from Republic to Empire*, London 1998.

- [Y. Le Bohec](/source/Yann_Le_Bohec), *L'esercito romano da Augusto alla fine del III secolo*, Rome 1992, VII reprint 2008.

- A. Milan, *Le forze armate nella storia di Roma Antica*, Rome 1993.

## External links

- Media related to [Looting](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Looting) at Wikimedia Commons

v t e Types of crime Note: Crimes vary by jurisdiction. Not all types are listed here. Classes Infraction Misdemeanor Felony Summary Indictable Hybrid Corruption Law portal Against the person Section 'Offense against the person' not found Against property Section 'Crimes against property' not found Against the public Section 'Crimes against the public' not found Against the state Section 'Crimes against the state' not found Against justice Section 'Crimes against justice' not found Against animals Section 'Crimes against animals' not found Sexual offenses Section 'Sexual offenses' not found Inchoate offenses Attempt Conspiracy Incitement Solicitation WikiSource Wikimedia Commons Wikiquote Wikinews

v t e War crimes List of war crimes International humanitarian law Sources Lieber Code Saint Petersburg Declaration of 1868 Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 Geneva Protocol Geneva Conventions 1864 First (1949) Second (1949) Third (1949) Fourth (1949) Protocol I (1977) Protocol II (1977) Responsibility to protect Rome Statute International Criminal Court Topics Civilians and non-combatants Civilian casualties Command responsibility / Superior orders Distinction Hors de combat Intent Joint criminal enterprise Medical neutrality Military necessity Prisoners of war Proportionality Protected persons Ruse de guerre Safe conduct War crimes by type Attacks on humanitarian workers / parachutists‡ Child soldiers Collective punishment Criminal orders Death flights Death marches Desecration of graves Destruction of the healthcare system Enforced disappearances Extrajudicial killings Hostage-taking Human trophy collecting Indiscriminate attacks Looting Massacres Mass killings No quarter Perfidy Starvation Torture Use of human shields Wartime sexual violence War crimes committed by... Australia Croatia Germany Wehrmacht Israel Italy Japan Palestinians Russia Soviet Union Serbia Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States War crimes by war Afghanistan wars Soviet–Afghan War Second Chechen War Iraq War Korean War 2006 Lebanon War Libyan civil war (2011) Myanmar civil war (2021–present) Nagorno-Karabakh conflict First war Second war Gaza–Israel conflict 2008–2009 2023–present by Israel Russo-Ukrainian War War in Donbas Russian invasion of Ukraine Second Sino-Japanese War Manchukuo Sri Lankan civil war Sudanese civil war (2023–present) Syrian civil war Tigray war‎ World War I World War II Allied Axis Yemeni civil war (2014–present) Yugoslav Wars Kosovo War Related topics War crimes trials War crime apologia List of global issues Post-conflict reception of war criminals Other international crimes Atrocity crimes Crimes against humanity Crimes of aggression Genocide ‡ Does not apply to airborne forces (i.e. paratroopers) Category

Authority control databases International GND FAST National United States 2 France BnF data Latvia Israel Other IdRef NARA Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Looting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looting) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looting?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.