Arson is more of a judicial term associated with the crime of intentionally, or maliciously setting fire to buildings, or wildland terrains, among other things. In Ancient Rome, the punishment for 'incendium' is slightly unsure, but it is known that in old Roman documentation, the act of incendium was often associated with the intent of murder, and as such, charges were pressed accordingly. Execution of the perpetrator could have been likely, and was assumed to be passed by the "Praefectus Urbi", or the local city warden. There are accounts that suggest exectuion by sword, hanging, or burned alive were possible. It was also possible to be condemned to pay the debt in public serces, such as working in mines, or simply being flogged in a square.

Incendium as used in warfare can serve several different purposes. Greek Fire was used during the siege of Constantinople by the Byzantines, and was even more effective during naval battles, as it could not be put out with water.