Ancient attitudes towards suicide in Lithuania

On the basis of historical chronicles, archeological data, mythology, and folklore some tendencies of sociocultural attitudes influencing suicidal behavior in Lithuania were discerned. A reserved and negative attitude to suicide becomes notable already in pagan times and is reinforced with the establishment of Catholicism. During historical periods of struggles against various occupations the tendency of romanticizing and glorifying suicide becomes manifest. The state of anomie in today's society after 50 years of Soviet occupation is also of importance.