In his real history, as an earthly monarch, he would have been a truly illustrious Prince, had he not been excessively addicted to pleasure, and indulgent to his vicious passions. […] A man, named Erostratus, wishing to make his name immortal, set fire to this magnificent temple; imagining that such an action would necessarily transmit his name to posterity. […] It was imagined that whosoever could celebrate this sacrifical rite, one hundred times, would thereby obtain power equal to that of Indra, and gain possession of the Swerga his delicious abode. […] As he was expiring, he declared that he was going into Scythia to take his place amongst the other deities, at the immortal banquet, where he would receive those who died with arms in their hands. […] In vain would men, in vain would Gods essay, To hew the beams of adamant away.