Whatever some people are willing to go to become famous, to become famous. In this age of modern technology, gaining wide popularity has become easier thanks to the Internet. However, in order to gain fame, some resort to bad deeds, unworthy shocking. They say about such people that they have Herostratus fame. Why this expression is applicable in such cases, we will learn by considering the interpretation and etymology of this stable turnover.
"Herostrat's Glory": the meaning of phraseology
To interpret this phrase, let's turn to the large dictionary of set expressions Rose T. V. The author conveys the meaning of phraseology in just a few words: shameful glory. This means that the expression we are considering has a negative connotation. It characterizes fame obtained in an ignoble way.
Where did this expression "Gerostrat's glory" come from, the meaning of which we explained, we will find out further. The etymology of a phraseological unit will help us expand its interpretation.
The history of the origin of the expression "Gerostrat's glory"
In the city of Ephesus, which is located on the westerncoast of Asia Minor, once lived an ambitious man. They called him Herostratus. All his life he dreamed that his name would be imprinted in history. And one day an idea came to him how to become famous.
In his city there was a beautiful large temple, which was dedicated to the goddess of hunting Artemis of Ephesus (later it was ranked among the seven wonders of the world). In 356 BC, Herostratus set fire to this temple, which was a landmark of his state and a place of rites. He decided that historians would write about his act and thereby perpetuate the memory of him.
Herostratus paid for his misdeed with his life: the court sentenced him to death. Moreover, his name was strictly forbidden to pronounce and even more so to mention in literary and historical works. But after some time, the ancient Greek historian Theokoppus, who lived in the 4th century BC, nevertheless wrote about him, and the name of the arsonist of the temple has come down to our days. After that, other researchers told in their writings about the temple of Artemis and its destroyer.
Now about those who try to get fame in any way, especially by bad, unworthy deeds, they say that they have Herostratus glory.
Having learned the etymology of the expression, we can expand the epithets for the interpretation of the phraseological unit. Herostratus can be called not just shameful glory, but above all criminal.
Examples of using the expression
Phraseologisms are often used in their writings by various journalists, writers, linguists, etc. For example, after the sensational scandal with participants in punkgroup Pussy Riot in many publications about them, the use of the expression "Herostratic glory" was encountered. This phraseological unit succinctly characterizes the criminal way of gaining fame of the mentioned group.
But not only in our time the mention of Herostratus is used. Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin also used his name in the epigram "On Sturdza". In it, he noted that the person to whom his lines were intended is worth the laurels of Herostratus. This epigram was directed against the Russian diplomat Sturdza Alexander Skarlatovich, who advocated that educational institutions be under police supervision, as he was a true champion of ideas and freedom of thought.
Conclusion
We have considered the stable expression "Gerostratus's glory", but have not yet noted that it occurs in various variations: "the glory of Herostratus", "the laurels of Herostratus", "acquire the laurels of Herostratus". Whatever kind of expression we choose, its meaning will remain the same. It will also characterize fame obtained by dishonest, shameful and even criminal means.
