When was euthanasia first used/practiced?

Question

I know the term came into use in Nazi, Germany where the government ordered doctors to euthanasize citizens, but I'm not sure of the time period of this. Also was there any time before this where euthanasia was practiced?

Answer 1

The term euthanasia comes from the Greek words “eu” and “thanatos” which combined means “good death”. Hippocrates mentions euthanasia in the Hippocratic Oath, which was written between 400 and 300 B.C. The original Oath states: “To please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug nor give advice which may cause his death.”

Answer 2

Since the 19th Century, euthanasia has sparked intermittent debates and activism in North America and Europe.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia

Answer 3

The Romans were permitted to expose girl babies outside the city in order that they would die. Not sure if this counts as euthanasia.

Answer 4

I think it goes back to the caveman era when a spare child was considered a burden.

Answer 5

between 400 and 300 B.C.

Answer 6

Yes.