Tetramachus

The ban of the gladiatorial games in Rome in 399 AD by Honorius is attributed to the actions of Tetramachus. According to legend, Tetramachus was a fourth-century Christian monk who was so disgusted by the gladiatorial practices that he stepped onto the field to denounce the practice and was run through by the Roman combatants. In response to his action, many more supporters of nonviolence stepped out on to the field. So moved by this action, Honorius subsequently banned all future public gladiator games.