tELEMAcHuS: the MONK wHO ENdEd the COLiSSEuM GAMES
Excerpted from the book: "Prayer as a Celtic Lay Monk" by S.G. Preston
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
-Psalm 34:14
Telemachus: The Monk Who Ended the Colisseum Games
One Person Can Make A Difference
I first heard this story on a Christian Radio station. I missed the beginning of the program, so I do not know who was speaking, but the story was told beautifully.
The story of Telemachus and how the holding of the Colisseum Games and Gladitorial Contests came to an end, has often been repeated.
Even American President Ronald Reagan told the story of “the little monk” at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 2, 1984.
He re-told the story again the next year at the National Prayer Breakfast on January 31, 1985 (see photos and entries from the President’s Diary on both dates Below).
Unfortunately, there are some mistakes in the story that are usually perpetuated, whenever it is given.
Here is a Brief Summary of the Story as it is Usually Told:
In the fourth century a little monk named Telemachus from Asia (modern day Turkey comprises the Roman province of Asia; what we today call Asia Minor), was led by an inner voice to go to Rome without knowing why.
He followed the crowds to the Colisseum.
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 killed by being run through with the sword of one of the gladiators.
When the crowd saw the little monk lying dead in a pool of blood, they fell silent, leaving the stadium, one by one.
Because of Telemachus’ death, three days later, the Emperor by decree ended the Games.
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The Errors Found in the Story As It Is Usually Told
(1.) That the event above occurred in the fourth century.
(Continued at the Top of the Column to the Right) _____________________
(Continued from the Column at the Left)
It actually occurred in the early 400’s A.D., (which is the fifth century); and…
(2.) That Telemachus was killed by a gladiator’s sword, the crowd then leaving one by one, until all had left.
Telemachus actually was killed through being stoned to death by the furious crowd, enraged that someone would dare to interfere with their “entertainment.” ____________________
False Criticisms
Some critics claim that Telemachus’ death cannot have ended the Colisseum Games, because the Games were held until the early fifth century.
This a false argument, because they are accepting the wrong dating of the event.
They are correct about the dating of the ending of the Games, but wrong in contending that Telemachus’ death was not the event that triggered their demise. ____________________
The True Story
The true story is found in the writings of Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus in Syria (393-457 A.D.).
Theodoret’s Ecclesiastical History covers the period of time up until 429 A.D. (the early fifth century). I quote it here:
Theodore of Cyrus (Cyrrhus in Syria); The Ecclesiastical History
Book V, Chapter XXVI: Of Honorius the Emperor and Telemachus the monk.
“Honorius, who inherited the empire of Europe, put a stop to the gladitorial combats which had long been held at Rome.
The occasion of his doing so arose from the following circumstance.
A certain man of the name of Telemachus had embraced the ascetic life.
He had set out from the East and for this reason had repaired to Rome.
There, when the abominable spectacle was being exhibited, he went himself into the stadium, and stepping down into the arena, endeavoured to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another.
The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by the triad fury of the demon who delights in those bloody deeds, stoned the peacemaker to death.
When the admirable Emperor was informed of this he numbered Telemachus in the number of victorious martyrs, and put an end to that impious spectacle.”
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tELEMAcHuS: the MONK wHO ENdEd the COLiSSEuM GAMES -- HiS StORy was tOLd At twO NAtiONAl PRayER bREAKfAStS
(Excerpts from the) President’s Diary: Thursday, February 2, 1984
Nat. Prayer Brkfst. I look forward to this each year. A hotel ballroom becomes a temple. I had obtained a story about a 4th Century Monk—Telemachus whose death ended gladiator contests in the Roman coliseum forever.
Then the Pres. of Tuskegee Inst. & a group came to present me with a souvenir, but really for me to give them a grant of $9 mil. for an engineering (aeronautical) & space center named after Gen. Chappie James—1st negro flier & 4-star general. From there to East Room to announce recognition of Black Hist. month.
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(Excerpts from the) President’s Diary: Thursday, January 31, 1985
Opened day with annual prayer breakfast. As usual it was a warm, spiritual experience. In my remarks I gave something of the history of the affair & then re-told the story I’d told last year about the little Monk who brought about the end of the gladiators fighting to the death in the Roman Coliseum.
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yOuR COMMENtS (JuStiN C., NORtH cAROLiNA)
I was enjoying your post about Telemachus:The Monk Who Ended the Colisseum Games, and I read where you heard about it first on Christian Radio.
I did as well and I remembered about it, and so searched for the saint who aided in ending gladiator fights, which lead me to your website.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that it was possibly Ravi Zacharias, the famed Christian speaker. I know when I heard him tell it I was very moved, as he is a great story-teller.
Sincerely,
Justin C. (North Carolina)
yOuR cOMMENtS: (GaRy, MicHiGaN)
Greetings!
Read the “story” with truisms about Telemachus. Did not know he was a “saint” — nor some of the other facts. Wrote an essay about Telemachus about 15 or so years ago. One person can make a difference.
Peace and God bless,
Gary (Michigan)
SSgt USAF 1968-1972
Assistant Director PH HOG Chapter 2335
Michigan Remembers Run (since 1998)
Founder and Chairman (the Last), Michigan Agent Orange Commission 1990-1997
St. iGNAtiuS Of ANtiOcH (QuOtE):
Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became Bishop of Antioch.
In the year 107 A.D., the Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy.
Ignatius would not deny Christ and was condemned to be put to death by lions in the Coliseum in Rome.
Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome.
The sixth letter was to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was later also martyred for the faith, in 155 A.D.
“Be deaf therefore, when anyone speaks to you apart from Jesus Christ, who was of the family of David, and of Mary;
who was truly born, both ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate,
was truly crucified,
and died in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
He was also truly raised from the dead, when his Father raised him up,
as in the same manner his Father shall raise up in Christ Jesus us who believe in Him,
without whom we have no true life.”
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-Letter of Ignatius of Antioch to the Trallians – 9:1-2
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