Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Psychiatry 1735-4587 11 2 2016 06 01 128 132 EN Saxby Pridmore Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Stephane Auchincloss Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Jamshid Ahmadi Substance Abuse Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2016 06 01 2016 06 01 Objective: The aim of this study was to better understand the triggers of suicide, particularly among the ‎ancient Greek and Persian soldiers and commanders.‎ Method: ‎‘Herodotus: The Histories’ 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).‎ Conclusion: 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.‎ https://ijps.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijps/article/view/713 https://ijps.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijps/article/download/713/561