Latrocinium
Latrocinium (from Latin latro, ultimately from Greek latron, "pay" hire)[1] which meant primarily a mercenary, or hired soldier, had the same meaning as miles. Latrocinium applied to a war that was not preceded by a declaration of war under the Roman laws; it was also applied to the guerrilla warfare used by the enemies of Rome. [2] In the Middle Ages, latrocinium was a war without just cause, or piracy. [3] Plato and Aristotle considered that latrocinium was a way of life like fishing or hunting. [4]
Latrocinium in ecclesiastical Latin means 'rebel or hostile council'. It literally means 'robber council' and was used as a term of abuse to suggest such a council was not canonical.
The third Council of Sirmium in 357, second Council of Ephesus in 449, Council of Hieria in 754 and Synod of Pistoia in 1786 were each described by their opponents as a latrocinium. Some also regarded the fourth Council of Constantinople, meeting in 879-880, in the same way.
Richard I of England exempted the Knights Templar from being charged with latrocinium and the secret killing known as murdrum, amongst other privileges.
Some conservative Catholics, including sedevacantists and conclavists, regard the Vatican II as a Latrocinium, given its alleged role in a fundamental revision of Roman Catholic rituals and belief.