(ex sacro), malediction; imprecation of evil. Among the ancient Jews, Greeks, Romans, and some other nations, it was customary to pronounce imprecations upon their enemies for the purpose of calling down the divine wrath, branding them with infamy, and exciting against them the passions of the multitude. By such means they also devoted their enemies to the ruin they considered them to deserve. Thus the Athenians proceeded against Philip of Macedon. They convened an assembly, in which it was decreed that all statues, inscriptions, or festivals in any way relating to him or his ancestors, should be destroyed, and every other possible reminiscence of him be profaned; and the priests, as often as they prayed for the success of the Athenian affairs, should pray for the ruin of Philip. It was also customary, after having destroyed cities in war, the revival of whose strength was dreaded, to pronounce execrations against those who should rebuild them. Execrations were sometimes pronounced upon cities before undertaking a siege, and before engaging with enemies in battle. Tacitus relates (Annal., xiv. 29), that the priestesses of ancient Britain devoted their Roman invaders to destruction, with imprecations, ceremonies, and attitudes, which for a time overwhelmed the soldiers with terror.