An Ancient Case of Arson
The necessity some people feel to be remembered is and has been in more than one case, less than abhorrent. It has manifested throughout time quite often and one classic example is that of the destruction of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, a construction regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. According to historical accounts, some Herostratus set fire to the temple in 356 B, just to make sure his name would never be forgotten. Did he reach his nefarious purpose? Well, he was condemned to death and a decree made an obligation to never pronounce his name, but someone disobeyed (otherwise you wouldn´t be reading this). Herostratus´s action though disgusting serves as the light that reveals one of our most secret and darkest desires: we don't want to be forgotten. We have many different ways to satisfy this need and it´s not usual to find people like Herostratus and his demential definition of going into posterity. However, people like him do exist.