1. Introduction: Defining Mafia Warfare Through Time
Mafia warfare is more than organized crime—it is a narrative engine shaped by myth, film, and evolving media. Rooted in the Western frontier’s romanticized violence, modern portrayals blend personal codes, hierarchical loyalty, and symbolic retribution. From Leone’s *spaghetti westerns* to digital simulations, the archetype endures by reflecting shifting power dynamics. The core remains: violence as enforcement, hierarchy as order, and an unescaped code as justice.