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The gladiatorial fights of the Roman Empire have been immortalized in our culture as tremendous battles between individual combatants, whole troops, and even wild animals. Images of weapon-wielding warriors fill our minds when we look at the mighty Coliseum.
But 1,600 years ago, a frail, unarmed man stepped into the amphitheater and changed everything.
By the 4th Century, the Coliseum and other arenas in Rome’s provinces were centers of entertainment and community life. History tells us that inside the walls of these great structures, enormous crowds gathered to watch men battle each other, wild beasts, or both. The epic clashes sometimes reenacted military triumphs of Rome; the famed Coliseum could even be flooded, allowing naval battles to take place!
Whether gladiators, slaves, prisoners, or Christians, thousands upon thousands lost their lives in the name of entertainment.
But at the outset of the 5th Century, God called an elderly monk named Telemachus to do something about the brutal killings in Rome. Upon his arrival at the Eternal City, Telemachus immediately went into the massive arena along with the bloodthirsty throngs seeking their entertainment. When the gladiators stepped onto the sand floor of the amphitheater, the crowds erupted. Soon, a gory fight was underway.
In the stands, Telemachus was appalled by the senseless murder of men who had been created in the image of God. The elderly monk left his seat and went down to the arena at once. He positioned himself between the gladiators and cried out, “In the Name of Christ, stop!”
The crowd jeered at him, and the gladiators pushed him aside so they could continue their fight. But Telemachus wouldn’t be silenced. Again he declared, “In the Name of Christ, stop!”
The crowd, unaccustomed to having their entertainment halted, quickly lost patience with the holy man. They took up rocks and stoned the monk to death.
In the end, the very practice that Telemachus was trying to stop was the cause of his death.
But in His infinite wisdom, God used this martyr’s sacrifice for an incredible purpose. News of Telemachus’ death soon reached the ear of Emperor Honorius. According to the ancient historian, Theodoret, Honorius counted “Telemachus in the number of victorious martyrs, and immediately put an end to that impious spectacle” known as the gladiator fights.
Yes, Telemachus died in the arena, but history shows that he was the last to do so. The monk paid a high price for obeying God, but when Telemachus took a stand, he ultimately changed history.
Resource’s Origin:
The Ecclesiastical History by Theodoret, Bishop of Syria.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Death
Entertainment
Fighting
History
Influence
Legacy
Martyr
Monk
Obedience
Purpose
Romans
Sacrificial
Taking a Stand
Violence
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
