patricide

thumb|right|262px|Le Meurtre de Laïus par Oedipe by Joseph Blanc depicts the mythological patricide of [[Laius by his son Oedipus.]]

Patricide (or paternal homicide) is the act of killing one's own father. The word patricide derives from the Latin word pater (father) and the suffix -cida (cutter or killer). Patricide is a sub-form of parricide, which is defined as an act of killing a close relative. In many cultures and religions, patricide was considered one of the worst sins. For example, according to Marcus Tullius Cicero, in the Roman Republic it was the only crime that led a civilian to death penalty.