Temptation: The Story of Alypius and the Gladiatorial Games
ALYPIUS, a friend of St. Augustine, was accustomed to hold in the utmost horror and detestation the gladiatorial combats which were exhibited in the age in which he lived. Being invited one day by his companions to be a spectator of those inhuman sports, he refused to go. They, however, insisted on his accompanying them, and drew him along against his will. When they had all taken their seats the game commenced. Alypius shut his eyes, that scenes so abominable might not pollute his mind. “Would to God,” said Augustine, “he had also stopped his ears!” For, having heard a great cry, he suffered himself to be conquered by his curiosity, and opened his eyes to see what it was. One of the combatants was wounded. No sooner did he behold the purple stream issuing from the body of the unhappy wretch, than, instead of turning away his eyes, they were fixed on what he saw, and he felt even a pleasure in those brutal combats. He was no longer the same man; by degrees he imbibed the sentiments of the multitude around him, joined in their shouts and exclamations, and carried away from the amphitheatre a violent passion for these games. And not only did he go the second time with those who had ensnared him, but he himself enticed others. Yet this man began at first with an abhorrence of such criminal amusements, and resolved to take no part in them. But sad experience taught him that the best resolutions are not always sufficient to withstand temptations, and that the only way to escape danger is to keep at a distance from it.