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Suicide in the Byzantine Empire
G Tsoukalas1, K Laios, M-I Kontaxaki
1History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens.
Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki
|April 23, 2013
Summary
Suicide in the Byzantine Empire was influenced by Christian persecution and evolving Church attitudes. Legal responses varied, with pagans showing more acceptance, while therapeutic approaches focused on balancing humors.
Area of Science:
- Historical studies
- Byzantine history
- Sociology of suicide
Background:
- Limited historical records complicate the study of suicide in the Byzantine Empire.
- Suicide references were more frequent during early Christian persecution, decreasing over time.
Observation:
- The Church's and legal stances on suicide hardened progressively.
- While Western laws were strictly enforced, Eastern Byzantine records lack evidence of punishment for suicide.
- Motivations included avoiding humiliation, religious redemption, emotional distress, and debt.
Findings:
- Mass suicides were documented, while female suicides were less common, excluding early Christian periods.
- Pagan lifestyles exhibited greater acceptance of suicide compared to Christian views.
- Therapeutic interventions, originating from Galen and Aretaeus, focused on treating depression and balancing black bile.
Implications:
- Ancient views on treating emotional imbalance influenced medical thought for centuries.
- Later Byzantine periods (post-9th century) saw increased emphasis on patient well-being.
- Gemistus Pletho's attempt to revive Platonic suicide concepts predated the Empire's end, contrasting with Church prohibitions on Christian burial.
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