10 Weirdest Ways Famous Ancient Greeks Died
1. Chrysippus — Laughed Himself To Death
One of the most important philosophers in Stoicism, Chrysippus saw a donkey eating figs one day, made a lame joke to his pal, and laughed so much and so hard at his own quip that he died. I'm sure we can all agree: this is how you want to go.
After a life dedicated to philosophy, developing stoic doctrines and notably a system of logic, Chrysippus, then in his 70s, was walking down the street with a friend. According to one account, upon seeing a donkey eat figs from a tree, he said 'now give the donkey a drink of pure wine to wash down those figs,' whereupon he laughed and laughed and laughed and then died.
It seems especially ironic that a leading member of a sect of philosophers who espouse doctrines about keeping control of your emotions should die by virtue of a humorous outburst. Irony aside, Chrysippus comes down to us today remembered not only for his philosophical achievements, but for a bad joke he enjoyed so much it killed him.