Reworking my novel on Alexander

I have been thinking aloud a lot about Alexander, the novel. I have decided since reading that the first chapter is decisive that I must build up the story about the Temple of Artemis. Did you know that a man by the name of Herostratus deliberately set the temple on fire to make his name in fame? The building was decorated quite ostentatiously, as the ceilings and roof were made of cyprus wood. Imagine all the silken curtains that immediately went up in flame. All the cushions, damask, linens, everything was burned to the ground. It angered the citizens so much that he was put to death,and anyone who uttered his name was said to be put to death. The people of Epheseus were very superstitious and many thought that the fire was an omen. It is always associated with the birth of Alexander since it was said that he would be like a fire, consuming all of Asia. Now one wonders whether it is true or simply after the fact of his having conquered that part of the world that these storie came to be circulated. There is no way to verify this unless one is Herostratus and others who lived then and can remember it, and that is dubious of course, but it makes for a good story. Later,Plutarch, tongue in cheek, said that Artemis let the temple burn because she was busy assisting with the birth of Alexander. Chuckle!