When did plagiarism start?

Plagiarism has existed as long as writing itself, with its roots traceable to ancient civilizations. In classical Rome and Greece, authors would sometimes borrow ideas or phrases without attribution, a practice that was criticized by contemporaries like Cicero and Horace. The term "plagiarism" itself originated from the Latin Word "plagiarus," meaning "kidnapper," and was first used in the early 17th century to describe the act of stealing someone else's work. Over time, plagiarism has evolved into a significant ethical issue in literature, academia, and the arts.