Some people are ready to goto become famous, to become famous. In our age of modern technologies, it has become easier to get widespread popularity thanks to the Internet. However, to gain fame, some resort to bad actions, unworthy of shocking. They say about such people that they have gerostratum glory. Why this expression is applicable in such cases, we find out, having considered the interpretation and etymology of this sustainable turnover.
“Gerostratov glory”: the meaning of a phraseological unit
To interpret this phrase, turnto the large dictionary of stable expressions Roza TV. The author conveys the meaning of a phraseological unit in just two words: shameful glory. Hence, the expression we are considering carries a negative connotation. It characterizes the fame obtained by ignoble way.
Where did this expression “gerostratum glory” come from, the meaning of which we interpreted, we learn further. The etymology of a phraseological unit will help us expand its interpretation.
The history of the origin of the expression "gerostratum glory"
In the city of Ephesus, which is located on the westcoast of Asia Minor, once lived an ambitious. His name was Herostratus. Throughout his life, he dreamed of his name being imprinted in history. And once the idea came to him how to become famous.
In his city there was a beautiful big templewhich was dedicated to the goddess of hunting, Artemis of Ephesus (later he was counted 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 deed 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, let alone mention in literary and historical works. But after some time the ancient Greek historian Theocomp, who lived in the 4th century BC, still wrote about him, and the name of the temple arsonist came to our days. After that, other researchers told in their writings about the temple of Artemis and his destroyer.
Now, those who are trying to gain fame by any means, all the more bad, unworthy deeds, are said to have gerostratum fame.
Having learned the etymology of expression, we can expand the epithets for the interpretation of a phraseological unit. Gerostratova can be called not just shameful glory, but above all criminal.
Expression Usage Examples
Idioms are often used in their writings.various journalists, writers, linguists, etc. For example, after the sensational scandal with the punk band members Pussy Riot, many publications about them encountered the use of the expression "gerostratum fame." This idiom clearly characterizes the criminal way of getting the fame of the mentioned group.
But not only in our time is used the mentionHerostratus. His name was also used by Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin in the epigram “To Sturdzu”. 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 the educational institutions were under police surveillance, as he was a real champion of ideas and freedom of thought.
Conclusion
We have examined the steady expression "gerostratglory ", but have not yet noted that it is found in various variations:" the glory of Herostratus "," the laurels of Herostratus "," to concoct the laurels of Herostratus ". Whatever type of expression we choose, its meaning will remain the same. It will also characterize fame obtained by dishonest, shameful and even criminal means.
