What's in a Name, Herostratus
Herostratus burned down the
Temple of Artemis. He did it for the sole purpose of becoming
famous. His acts prompted the creation of a damnatio memoriae
law forbidding anyone to mention his name, whether orally or in
writing. The law was ultimately ineffective, as evidenced by
mentions of his existence in modern works and parlance. Thus,
Herostratus has become a metonym for someone who commits a
criminal act in order to become famous.
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