Erno Erb (1878 or 1890 Lviv - 1943 there), Almachius with gladiators, 1920.

oil, canvas pasted on board, 75 × 55 cm
Signed and dated p. d.: E.Erb 1920
The painting depicts the holy martyr Almachius, also known as Telemachius. The monk fought against gladiatorial combat. According to the historian Theodoret of Cyrus, while trying to stop gladiatorial clashes in a Roman amphitheater, he was stoned to death by an enraged crowd. After the incident, Emperor Honorius declared him a martyr, and shortly thereafter (weeks or months) abolished gladiatorial combat. The last gladiatorial fight in Rome took place on January 1, 404, so Telemachus' death is attributed to this date.
The painting presented in the auction offer, painted in 1920 by Erno Erba, shows the moment Almachius invades the arena and separates the fighting gladiators. It is a copy of an 1878 painting by Belgian painter Joseph Stallaert (1825-1903). The composition is known for engravings made according to this composition.