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HONORIUS, who inherited the empire of Europe, put a stop to
the gladiatorial 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 array of victorious martyrs, and put an end to that impious
spectacle.
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