herostratic

[prettygoodword]

herostratic - adj., of a person, out to be famous at any cost.


Herostratus was a man who set fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus who defended his actions as his way of becoming known throughout history. In response, not only was he executed, but mentioning his name became punishable by death. However, the historian Theopompus recorded it anyway, making herostratic fame a phrase in many languages for doing something infamous just to be famous. It can be argued that some acts of terrorism are herostratic. I pronounce it he-roh-STRA-tik, but I dunno if that's right.

I'll be out for the Stateside holidays -- back Monday with more.

---L.

Comments

[packbat.livejournal.com]

I can't help but think it would be mildly hilarious if Herostratus wasn't actually the man's name, but the name of someone Theopompus had a grudge against.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

I think you have a RP fanfic waiting to be written.

---L.