Explain why people 2,000 years ago and still today "revere" the famous?

Two thousand years ago really the only people who were universally revered were Kings, Queens, Pharaohs, High Priests, and in time the Pope. Now, of course, there were exceptions where someone became respected because of their wisdom or perhaps an accumulation of wealth but generally speaking only people in authority were revered. Most people never traveled outside of their community because the only way to travel was on foot or for the rich, horses. So the only way to become known outside of your village was almost nonexistent. Today’s societies are dependant on the ease of instant communication that allows a vast array of people to become famous, at least for “15 minutes.” As to “why” many people even have a following with the public is not for a mere mortal like myself to understand much less comment upon!

Not sure if it’s within 12 months, but you could talk about the spreading of alt-right hate speech and whether that is covered by the right of freedom of speech? or, cover how during the midterm elections in some states many native american populations were declined to vote because they didn’t have the proper id, despite being citizens? also, the death of that journalist last month, who spoke freely and reported about the saudi government and how corrupted it is and was killed because of that (lack of free press/speech). just some ideas for this prompt, i hope at least one of them : )