The Man Who Was So Bad It Was Illegal To Say Or Write His Name
An ancient Greek named Herostratus allegedly committed a heinous act, all in the hopes of making himself famous
Some people cannot find it within themselves to obey the basic rules and laws of society. While punishments like imprisonment and worse are possible depending on the transgression, some individuals have been so bad that great lengths have been gone to to essentially eradicate them from memory. This includes the ancient Greek Herostratus, who so offended his community by his over the top and dangerous ways to gain fame that it became illegal to say or write his name.
Living in the 4th century BC, there is scant information know about the early life of Herostratus. However, it is believed by some that he was of humble origins, such as being very poor or perhaps even a slave. Living on the fringes of society, he yearned for more.
On July 21, 356 BC, the birthday of Alexander the Great according to tradition, the Temple of Artemis (the Greek Goddess of hunting, wild animals, vegetation, chastity and childbirth) at Ephesus was destroyed in a fire. This was especially tragic because the original temple had been destroyed in a flood some three hundred years earlier before being rebuilt in splendor. Constructed…
