Theme
The first recorded gladiatorial combat in Rome occurred when three pairs of gladiators fought to the death during the funeral of Junius Brutus in 264 BCE, though others may have been held earlier. During the height of the Roman empire thousands of men and women were killed in the Coliseum in Rome. Many Christians refused to attend these violent games but for many it was ‘just entertainment’. Few people know that it was a Christian monk who brought the games to an end in the early fifth century. Unfortunately Telemachus was stoned to death for his faith!
Scripture
In the world you will have trouble, but fear not I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Story
In the fifth century a monk named Telemachus from Asia (modern day Turkey) was led by an inner voice to go to Rome without knowing why. He followed the crowds to the Coliseum. Two gladiators were fighting, and Telemachus tried to get between them to stop them, shouting three times, “In the name of Christ, forbear!” Telemachus was then stoned to death by the furious crowd enraged that someone would dare to interfere with their ‘entertainment’. Because of Telemachus’ death, three days later, the Emperor by decree ended the Games.
Mark is a lively storyteller and the author of four books, including The Spy, the Rat and the Bed of Nails: Creative Ways of Talking about Christian Faith. His work is focused on storytelling and how this can help us to communicate the Christian faith. He has written many articles for the Baptist Times, RE Today, Youthscape, Direction magazine and the Christian Teachers Journal.
- The Inspiring Faith of Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) - November 25, 2024
- The Inspiring Story of Anne Boleyn - October 28, 2024
- The Crazy Adventures of a Scottish Missionary in a Cannibal Land - September 28, 2024
