St. Telemachus (also known as Almachius) was a hermit from the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. Upon hearing about the gladiators fighting to the death in the arena he went to Rome in 391 to put an end to it. He entered the stadium while the games were in progress and, going down into the arena, attempted to separate the combatants. The spectators of this cruel pastime were infuriated, and at the instigation of Satan, who delights in blood, they stoned to death this messenger of peace. His death, according to Theodoret, caused Emperor Honorius to abolish gladiatorial contests.
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