The circumcellions were bands of Christian extremists in North Africa in the early- to mid-4th century.^[1] They preferred to be known as agonistici (“fighters (for Christ)”).^[1]… They condemned property and slavery, and advocated canceling debts and freeing slaves.^[2] Donatists prized martyrdom and had a special devotion for the martyrs, rendering honours to their graves…

Latin Africa and Italy in 600 AD. Tunesia and Sicily will become Arabized in the next few centuries.

Because Jesus had told Peter to put down his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:11), the Circumcellions piously avoided bladed weapons and instead opted for the use of blunt clubs, which they called “Israelites.” Using their “Israelites”, the Circumcellions would attack random travelers on the road, while shouting “Laudate Deum!” (“Praise God!” in Latin.) The object of these random beatings was the death of the intrepid martyr, who sought to provoke the victim to attack and kill them.

The sect survived until the fourth century in Africa.