Hécatombe

Hécatombe traditionally refers to a large-scale loss of life, such as a mass extinction or significant slaughter. Originally stemming from ancient Greek rituals involving sacrifices of a hundred animals, the term now broadly signifies any event causing extensive casualties, whether in war, disaster, or other tragedies. It emphasizes the scale and tragic impact of such events, highlighting their severity and for their role in collective grief or historical significance. In modern usage, it often evokes the sense of a devastating event resulting in numerous deaths or destructions.