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The Martyrdom of Ignatius
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Chapter 6: Ignatius is Eaten by Beasts in Rome.
They set out from the place called Portus; and since news about the holy martyr had already spread widely, we met the brothers who were full of both fear and joy. They were rejoicing because they were deemed worthy to meet Theophorus, but they were also afraid since such a distinguished person was being led to his death. He instructed some to keep silent, those who in their passionate zeal were saying they would calm the people, so they wouldn't demand the execution of this righteous person.
HE BECAME AWARE OF THIS THROUGH THE SPIRIT AND: after greeting them all, he asked them to show genuine affection towards him. He spoke on this longer than in his letter, persuading them not to resent him for hastening to the Lord.
Then, after he prayed with all the brothers kneeling beside him, asking the Son of God to stop the persecution and that mutual love might continue among the brothers, he was quickly taken into the amphitheater. There, he was immediately thrown in, according to Caesar's earlier command, because the public spectacles were about to end (for it was considered a solemn day, the thirteenth in the Roman calendar, when more people than usual would gather).
He was thus cast to the wild beasts near the temple, so that the desire of the holy martyr Ignatius would be fulfilled, according to what is written, “The desire of the righteous is acceptable [to God].” This was intended so he would not be a burden to any of the brothers by the gathering of his remains, just as he had wished in advance in his letter. Only the harder parts of his holy remains were left, which were taken to Antioch and wrapped in linen, regarded as an invaluable treasure left to the holy Church by the grace in the martyr.