spoils of war
Victor's seized goods
Spoils of war are goods, territory, or other valuables seized from a defeated enemy.
Historically, victorious armies claimed plunder as reward—gold, weapons, livestock, even people.
The phrase extends to any gains from conflict or competition: The company merger left executives fighting over the spoils of war.
International law now restricts what combatants may lawfully take.
- bootyStolen valuables, especially treasure
- plunderGoods seized violently
- confiscationSeizure by authority
- ransackingSearching while wrecking
- prizeReward for winning
letters of marque · pillaging · slaves · conquered lands · winnings · war trophy · despoliation · contraband · requisition · chattel · privateering · war booty · stolen · seized · gold · bounty · riches · blood money
- plunderlooting, loot, booty, pillaging, pillage
- Roman triumphchariot, laurel wreath, captives, white horses, toga
- Roman triumphstriumphal arch, laurel wreath, chariot, quadriga, Capitol
- war spoilswar booty, plunder, pillage, loot, privateering
- Caesar's GaulJulius Caesar, Gaul, Gallic Wars, legions, Roman legions
- Privateeringletter of marque, prize money, marque, prize court, war prize
spoils of wardiplomatic gift
Present exchanged between governments
peace offering · trade goods · gift · donation · foreign aid
spoil, spoiled, spoils, spoiling, unspoiled, despoil, spoliation, despoiled, despoiling