Doing things with suicide in ancient China

Speaker

Dr. Kathrin Leese-Messing (Universität Freiburg i. Br.)

Date and Time

November 12, 2026, 4.15 pm - 5.45 pm

Venue

Rämistrasse 59, 8001 Zurich, Room RAA-E-12

Abstract

The significance and potential of the subject of suicide in Chinese history has been widely recognized. It has, however, so far received scant scholarly attention with regard to the ancient period. But how can we approach this subject from a historical perspective? Is the modern concept of suicide applicable to ancient contexts at all? And how can comparisons with other ancient cultures help us to get a better grasp of the subject? This talk will address these questions by way of looking at what, according to ancient Chinese sources, people were "doing" with suicide, and what we, as historians, can (or cannot) "do" with the records of such acts.

Organization: Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies - Chinese Studies