Illustrated dictionary of death 23

Sophocles died of joy, the inhabitants of the island of Delos shaved their heads upon the death of their relatives and mourning lasted until their hair had grown back to its usual length, the guardian of the marine cemetery of Sète trained his dog to accompany visitors to Paul Valéry's grave, Emperor Hadrian had his architect killed because he knew more about architecture than he did, and the Indians of Guyana drank a liquor made from the ashes of their dead. Throughout history, death has generated around it a rich constellation of anecdotes, facts, and eccentricities. From slang, epitaphs, jurisdictions, and last words to rituals, condemnations, allegories, and traditions, this dictionary brings together a wide selection of words linked to death that cover topics as diverse as philosophy, art, anthropology, demography, and morality.