Where can I find hemlock?

[NefariousWish]

Socrates died from it. If it's not hard to find, how would I consume it?

 

[shipwreck]

There are two related species, water hemlock and poison hemlock. Poisoning with either of them sounds like it would be prolonged and excruciating. If you survive the experience you'll likely end up destroying your kidneys, which is no fun.

Search forums for plant methods and you'll find that the overwhelming consensus is that they take a long time, entail a lot of suffering, and more often lead to permanent injury than death.

 

[NefariousWish]

Poor Socrates

 

[shipwreck]

Indeed. Bear in mind that it was a method of punishment. Merciful euthanasia wasn't the intention.

 

[NefariousWish]

Indeed. Bear in mind that it was a method of punishment. Merciful euthanasia wasn't the intention.

Why didn't he just jump off a cliff after ingesting it?

 

[shipwreck]

I'm not much a classical scholar, but according to Plato, who recounted Socrates' death in Phaedo, Socrates believed in obedience to the law and fulfilled his sentence because it was his civic duty. He used his last few hours well, expounding philosophy to his followers.

 

[MaybeSoon]

Why didn't he just jump off a cliff after ingesting it?

Probably had guards pointing swords at him is my guess.