History, But Strange

Burn It Down for Fame: The Arsonist Who Destroyed One of the Seven Wonders
Crime & PunishmentAncient

July 21: Burn It Down for Fame: The Arsonist Who Destroyed One of the Seven Wonders

Strangeness
9/10

What Happened on This Day in History?

On this day in 356 BC, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - was deliberately burned to the ground by an arsonist. The man responsible, Herostratus, confessed that he committed the act solely so his name would be remembered forever.

Why It's Strange

The arson was motivated entirely by a desire for fame, making it perhaps history's first documented act of 'infamy-seeking,' and ancient authorities responded by legally banning anyone from ever speaking his name - a ban that obviously failed spectacularly.

Burn It Down for Fame: The Arsonist Who Destroyed One of the Seven Wonders — historical illustration depicting Jul 21, -356

Sources & References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Artemis
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Burn It Down forFame: The ArsonistWho Destroyed One ofthe Seven WondersHerostratus
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Herostratus

Herostratus was an arsonist who burned down the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, solely to ensure his name would be remembered forever. To punish him, the Ephesian authorities prohibited anyone from ever speaking his name, a decree that ultimately failed.