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Suicide in classical mythology: cues for prevention
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|April 12, 2005
Summary
Greek mythology reveals common suicide antecedents and correlates, mirroring modern understanding. Negative life events and severed social ties frequently precede suicide acts in ancient myths.
Area of Science:
- Classical Studies
- Psychology
- Mythology
Background:
- Suicide is a complex phenomenon with established antecedents and correlates.
- Greek mythology offers a rich source of narratives involving human behavior and motivations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare modern understanding of suicide with motives and mechanics found in Greek mythology.
- To analyze suicide narratives within Hyginus's "Book of fables".
Main Methods:
- Exploration of Hyginus's "Book of fables" to identify suicide mechanics.
- Analysis of reported motives, antecedents, and psychological correlates of suicide in myths.
Main Results:
- Females were more prevalent in suicide myths, favoring methods like drowning and hanging.
- Familial recurrence of suicide and connections to incest were noted.
- Shame, guilt, grief, defeat, failure, and unfortunate love affairs were key psychological correlates and antecedents.
Conclusions:
- Negative life events and emotional responses to severed social ties are common precursors to suicide in Greek mythology.
- The study highlights enduring themes in human responses to distress across different eras.
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