«ΕΛΑΒΑ ΥΠ’ ΟΨΙΝ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΑΠΗΝ ΤΟΥ ΘΑΝΑΤΟΥ». ΑΥΤΟΧΕΙΡΕΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΡΜΟΥΠΟΛΗ ΤΟΝ 19ο ΑΙΩΝΑ

Abstract

In the late 19th century, the phenomenon of suicide emerged as an important issue for the Greek society. Numerous studies and publications draw attention to this "social disease". However, had there actually been an increase in suicide rates in Greece in the last decades of 19th century?

The aim of this paper is to highlight the social phenomenon of suicide in one of the most important cities of the Greek state in the 19th century. It consists of three chapters. The first chapter deals with the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of 37 persons, who committed suicide in Hermoupolis during the 19th century. Who decided to commit suicide? When and how? Which were their motivations? Did they leave suicidal notes and what did they expose in them? Furthermore, which was the official stance of the Orthodox Church? Did they prohibit funerals and burials of suiciders? The second chapter focuses on failed suicide attempts, while the third examines the cases without clearly determined cause of death (suicide, accident or murder).

The paper is based on the following sources: the registers (official and drafts) of death certificates of the Municipality of Hermoupolis, the Minutes of the City Council of Hermoupolis, the patients’ log and record books, notarizations, diaries and the local Press.