Damnatio memoriae

Damnato memoriae (Latin for "damned memory") was a form of dishonor which could be passed by the Roman Senate upon traitors or others who brought discredit to the Roman Empire. Its most visible practice was in the condemnation of unpopular Emperors upon their deaths. The first emperor to be so condemned was Caligula (reigned 37-41), followed by Nero.

Upon passage of the damnato memoriae, the person's name was stricken from any rolls of honor he may have appeared on, and in the case of the Roman Emperors so condemned, their statues were destroyed and their name removed from public buildings.