The Martyrdom of Ignatius

Having, through this letter, reassured the brethren in Rome who were hesitant about his martyrdom, and setting sail from Smyrna (since Christophorus was urged by the soldiers to hurry to the public spectacles in the great city of Rome, in order to be offered to the wild beasts in front of the Roman people, and thereby achieve the crown for which he strived), he then landed at Troas. From there, he traveled to Neapolis and journeyed on foot through Philippi in Macedonia to that part of Epirus near Epidamnus. Finding a ship at a seaport, he sailed across the Adriatic Sea, and upon entering the Tyrrhenian Sea, he passed by various islands and cities. When Puteoli came into view, he was eager to disembark there, longing to walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. However, a violent wind prevented him, driving the ship swiftly forward; thus, he only expressed his happiness over the love of the brethren there as he sailed by. Continuing with favorable winds, we were reluctantly hurried on in a day and a night, mourning the impending departure of this righteous man from us. But for him, this was exactly as he wished, as he was eager to leave this world quickly to reach the Lord whom he loved. Arriving at the Roman harbor as the unholy games were nearing their end, the soldiers grew frustrated with our delay, but the bishop joyfully submitted to their insistence.