Resource Does anyone know of any ancient texts on suicide?

[Dewdmael]

I've read a lot of really old books and would like to read something on the topic.

 

[miserableforever]

Following

 

[Ta555]

I don't know of any specific books but killing yourself to preserve honour was a big thing in China and Japan back in the day so maybe that will give you an idea of something to look up?

 

[death137]

The oldest suicide note

Dispute Between a Man and His Soul

 

[Ligottian]

Jacob Burckhardt's The Greeks and Greek Civilization, written about 1912, devotes quite a few pages to suicide in ancient Greece. Apparently they were pretty suicide friendly. At any rate, a great book if you are interested ancient Greece.

 

[Deleted member 8579]

The oldest suicide note

Dispute Between a Man and His Soul

This is amazing.

"I face death today like a man eager to see his home
after many years in captivity."

 

[Dewdmael]

Thank y'all. Sorry for those of you who are hurting. I'm hurting badly too.
"Brothers and sisters are evil
and people turn to strangers for righteousness or affection.
To whom shall I speak today?
Faces are empty and all turn their faces from their brothers and sisters."

This almost looks like it was written in modern times.

 

[Ligottian]

You might google The Wisdom of Silenius. From Greek myth. Not exactly about suicide but related.

 

[wait.what]

Plato's "Phaedo" takes place during the last few hours of Socrates' life, and is largely a discussion on the immortality of the soul. This may or may not be relevant to your interests… Socrates technically committed suicide by drinking poison, but he was forced to do so by the Athens authorities. Less "catching the bus" and more "being forced into a suitcase and stuffed into the bus's baggage compartment whether you like it or not."

Still, many, many bus-chasers have spent their final hours reading "Phaedo," taking comfort in Socrates' words about spiritual immortality, his weirdly-chill attitude about his impending death, or both.