The Curse of Memory (Damnatio memoriae) is a form of posthumous punishment that was widely used in ancient Rome. Participants of conspiracies, coups, power usurpers and government officials who committed crimes against the empire were subjected to a memory curse. In the modern world, one can also see how statesmen and participants in political processes are exposed to the curse of memory.
Curse of memory in ancient Rome
After the execution or death of a state criminal, any mention of him was destroyed. Statues, murals, wall and tombstones, various references in annals, historical documents and laws - all this was subject to destruction. Sometimes the memory curse directly concerned all members of the families of state criminals - they were simply executed.
Often it happened that the memory curse was not absolute. For example, the cruel emperor Nero was cursed after his death, however, after some time, Emperor Vitellius returned the tyrant's name to the history of Rome. Emperor Commodus was also once cursed, but successfully deified under Siptimius Severus.
They also wanted to curse the bloody emperor Caligula with a memory curse, but the trailer of Claudius opposed this.
The only emperor whose memory curse has never been challenged is Domitian. This emperor pursued an autocratic policy, revived the imperial cult and in every possible way oppressed dissent, appointing himself the main censor. He fought fiercely with Stoic philosophers. Gradually around the Domitian, senators formed numerous opposition. The emperor was killed in a state conspiracy. His death was the end of the Flavian dynasty.
In 356 BC, one resident of the city of Ephesus, Herostratus, wanted to become famous and burned the temple of Artemis for this. This simple man wanted to go down in history to be remembered by his descendants, but he did not succeed. In addition to the death penalty, he was also sentenced to death after death - oblivion of the name or Damnatiomemoriae. The name of this criminal came to our time thanks to the ancient Greek historian Theopompus, who told in his chronicles about the crime, execution and revealed to the descendants the name of the criminal. It turns out that Herostratus nevertheless achieved his goal.
Curse of memory in a new story
A striking example of Damnatiomemoriae occurred under George Washington. The brilliant officer Benedict Arnold at the battle of Bemis Heights was able to repel the British raid and by his actions led the British army to defeat. This battle was truly a turning point in the War of Independence. At the end of the battle, Benedict Arnold was seriously injured in the leg, so that he was forced to leave the army.
Arnold became almost a national hero, whose actions were very highly praised by George Washington. After recovery, Arnold received the post of commandant of Philadelphia. Here the hero of America began to lead a truly luxurious lifestyle and soon he was accused of abuse of power and illegal enrichment. Excessive debts and the constant need for money pushed Benedict Arnold to open betrayal. He entered into a conspiracy with the British and was going to surrender Fort West Point to them for $ 20, 000. The plot was uncovered, but the former hero of the War of Independence still managed to escape to England, where he lived until his death.
It is curious that in 1887 a monument was erected in honor of the foot of Benedict Arnold, and without indicating his name.
Some signs of the memory curse can also be seen in modern anti-terrorism legislation of the Russian Federation. In Western practice, this term is applied to sudden disappearances from the history of victims of political processes of the XX century.
