title: Suicide Triggers Described by Herodotus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to better understand the triggers of suicide, particularly among the ancient Greek and Persian soldiers and commanders.
  
  
  METHODS
  'Herodotus:TheHistories' is a history of the rulers and soldiery who participated in the Greco-Persian wars (492-449 BCE). A new translation (2013) of this manuscript was studied. Accounts of suicide were collected and collated, with descriptions of circumstances, methods, and probable triggers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine accounts of suicide were identified. Eight of these were named individuals (4 Greeks and 4 Persians); of whom, seven were male. Only one (not the female) appeared to act in response to a mental disorder. Other triggers of suicide included guilt, avoidance of dishonour/punishment and altruism. Cutting/ stabbing was the most common method; others included hanging, jumping, poison, and burning (the single female).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While soldiers at a time of war do not reflect the general community, they are nevertheless members of their society. Thus, this evidence demonstrates that suicide triggered by burdensome circumstances (in addition to mental disorder) was known to the Greek and Persian people more than two millennia ago.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Saxby
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pridmore
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Auchincloss
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Jamshid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
keywords: Sociology; Suicide; Suicide Prevention