Prisoner of war
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A prisoner of war (POW) is a person who is held captive by a belligerent power during or immediately after an armed conflict. The earliest recorded usage of the phrase "prisoner of war" dates back to 1610.
Viet Cong soldiers carry an injured American POW, Captain David Earle Baker, from a hospital tent to a release point for a prisoner exchange. 27 June, 1972
Engraving of Nubian prisoners, Abu Simbel, Egypt, 13th century BC
Mongol riders with prisoners, 14th century
Aztec sacrifices, as depicted in the Codex Mendoza (c. 1541)
War
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War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular or irregular military forces. Warfare refers to the common activities and characteristics of types of war, or of wars in general. Total war is warfare that is not restricted to purely legitimate military targets, and can result in massive civilian or other non-combatant suffering and casualties.
Mural of War (1896), by Gari Melchers
The Egyptian siege of Dapur in the 13th century BCE, from Ramesseum, Thebes.
Japanese samurai attacking a Mongol ship, 13th century
Finnish soldiers during the Winter War.