Erostratus Complex: specialists in the art of appearance

We are all witnesses of the Erostratus complex. We see it in those people who make the art of appearance their way of life. Some people call it ‘posturing’, others define it as social exhibitionism. They are also the seekers of likes on social networks, personalities who make appearance a sophisticated mask behind which to hide their inferiority complex.

Some say that in this new era of technological culture, we have become a little more vain. Many of us, why not, like to display some aspect of our lives on our Facebook walls or social networks.tories from Instagram. Doing it from time to time is not bad at all, but needing that daily like and this constant approval undoubtedly leads to more worrying pathological realities.

Now, the Erostratus complex does not live only in the cybernetic universe.. We see it, for example, in the posture of that acquaintance who monopolizes the communication of a group, also in the ‘ghost’ colleague in the office who strives to appear to be a winner, and in countless people (and characters) who Orlan, with his obsessive cult of the self, the social landscape.

Those who live to pretend not only end up creating an existence that is as hollow as it is unhappy. Beyond the anecdotal, there is a detail that we cannot leave aside: chasing notoriety, erostratism It can lead many people to generate very harmful and exhausting behaviors in order to gain notoriety.

Complex of Erostratus, the man who destroyed one of the seven wonders to become famous

Historians say that on the night of July 21, 365 BC, an unfortunate event occurred that would go down in history. The protagonist of that act was Erostratus, a young shepherd from Ephesus.; Even as a child, he had the blind obsession that he had been chosen by the gods to do something notable, something that would bring him fame.

His aspiration was to become a priest of Artemis. Now, since he had no recognized father, he was denied that aspiration. Obsessed in his desire to be famous, he had an idea, a plan that he undertook on the night of July 21. He went to the temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the world and, After kissing the statue of the goddess, he set fire to the entire construction.

After that disaster, Artaxerxes, king of Persia, ordered him to be tortured to understand the reason that had led him to commit such an offense. Erostratus then declared his purpose: to go down in history as the man who had burned the beautiful temple of Artemis. After hearing this, the monarch condemned him to ostracism and He forbade, under penalty of death, that the man’s name be recorded and that he be associated with the destruction of the temple.

However, that order was of no use. The Greek historian Theopompus reviewed the fire and recorded the name Erostratus, so that today, we are aware of this fact. Besides, From the field of psychology, this figure was chosen to give its name to the Erostratus complex, and thus define those people capable of doing almost anything to stand out, to acquire fame and renown.

The search for notoriety, low self-esteem and criminal acts

Alfred Adler, a renowned Austrian therapist from the early 20th century, conducted a very interesting study explaining what can generate an underlying feeling of inferiority. In a good part of these profiles, the same pattern is usually evident. which, in some way, could already be seen in Erostratus of Ephesus himself.

These people tend to draw up a life plan full of idealisms that are difficult to achieve. They also present an exacerbated desire to stand out, even projecting a contemptuous attitude towards everyone around them. In many cases, By wanting so desperately to be the center of attention and not being able to achieve it, they end up accumulating great hostility.

Something like this can be highly dangerous. It’s known that In certain cases, these people suffering from the Erostratus complex can commit criminal acts.. Erostratus himself did it on July 21, 365 BC by burning the temple of Artemis. David Chapman also did it on December 8, 1980 when he killed John Lennon and John Hinckley, he also did it on March 30, 1981 when he attacked Ronald Reagan.

Inner rejection that leads to violence

All of these characters showed clearly pathological behavior when seeking notoriety. To do this, they did not hesitate to attack iconic figures and thus be able to acquire a place in history. And they did it. We cannot, therefore, trivialize or take as anecdotal the behavior of those who live only to appear.of those who have the constant need to be the center of attention and idealize their self by belittling others.

Every appearance is a reflection of serious deficiencies. They are frustrated personalities who reject what they are and seek to cling to an invented image., which is very difficult to reaffirm before an audience. Since they do not always achieve that goal, they may resort to more extreme acts, such as professionally ruining others, spreading hoaxes, and unscrupulously circumventing that divide between what is ethical and moral and what is not.

The Erostratus complex not only limits our potential to be happy, but in many cases, it can lead human beings to show their darkest side. Let’s keep it in mind.

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