Origins & Early Life

Herostratus, or Eratostratus (fl. 356 BCE), was an arsonist who destroyed the Temple of Artemis in an attempt to achieve infamy. His name has become an eponym for someone who commits a crime solely to become famous. An obscure character, Herostratus burned down the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in 356 BCE.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was swiftly arrested and tortured, during which he confessed his intentions: to gain everlasting fame, shortly before being executed. The arson prompted a damnatio memoriae law barring mention of his name, although many ancient writers, even one contemporary of the arson, documented him. While Herostratus is thought to have been spurred on by resentment at what he saw as societal injustice, his exact motives are not known with any certainty. Modern scholars argue that his crime prefigured modern terrorist acts, including the assassination of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and the September 11 attacks. His life and crime have been adapted and discussed extensively in Western literature since the Middle Ages.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Works from the likes of Alessandro Verri to Jean-Paul Sartre repurpose him into a fictional character, sometimes in the context...

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