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According to an early Christian tradition from a medieval document, Martyrium Ignatii, and the many letters originally attributed to Ignatius, he was apprehended in his native Antioch, interrogated by Emperor Trajan himself, and sent to Rome for public execution by being thrown to wild animals. Along the way, Ignatius wrote many letters, of which seven are generally thought to be genuine, to various congregations. One letter which Ignatius wrote was sent ahead to the Christians of Rome, which among other things begged them not to interfere with his approaching execution or intercede on his behalf.
Igantius' epistle to the Romans is problematic. Either Trajan did not personally order the execution of Ignatius, casting doubts on its authenticity, or its plea that the Romans not intercede on his behalf (the purpose of this letter) is not authentic. An appeal was possible from a lower tribunal, but not from the emperor's, so that it would have been useless for him to forbid the Roman Christians to intercede in his behalf.
Such a long and elaborate trip halfway across the Roman Empire would have been expensive  especially with all of the lengthy stopovers when Ignatius' supposedly brutal guards gave him every opportunity to spend time with his friends. We know that Romans did not ship prisoners of ordinary status around the Empire for execution, so this journey seems a fable. Furthermore, given what we know of Trajan, it does not seem likely that he personally interrogated Ignatius and then ordered his execution based upon his Christianity. In his subsequent correspondence with Pliny the Younger, governor of Bithynia , Trajan appears never to have heard of Christians, and took the very moderate position of ordering that they not be rooted out, and executed only if exposed and then only if they refused to make obeisance to the Roman deities.
Scholars dismiss the Martyrium as a fable that flies in the face of plausibility, although it can not be absolutely ruled out. We do not really know whether Ignatius of Antioch was a real, historical person, nor how he died.
What else can I help you with?
What was Saint Ignatius famous for?
There are a number of saints named Ignatius so you need to be more specific. For example: Ignatius of Loyola or Ignatius of Antioch.
What saint was killed by lions?
St. Ignatius of Antioch was devoured by lions in the Roman Colosseum.
When was Ignatius of Antioch born?
Ignatius of Antioch was born in c. 35
When was Ignatius IV of Antioch born?
Ignatius IV of Antioch was born in 1921.
How did Saint Ignatius of Antioch become a Christian?
Roman Catholic answerBefore the modern era of the Church's official processes of beatification and canonization, saints were acclaimed by the people, given an approved cultus and feast day; especially if they were martyred.
When did Saint Polycarp die?
Saint Polycarp of Antioch was martyred at Antioch - date unknown.
What are the three degrees of clergy already listed by Saint Ignatius of Antioch?
The three degrees of Clergy are the Bishop-priest-Deacon
How did Saint Ignatius die?
There are at least eight saints named Ignatius, you need to be more specific.
When was St. Ignatius of Antioch canonized?
Ignatius was not canonized as the process did not come into place until the 12th century. He was declared a saint by the early Christian community based on his life of heroic virtue and martyrdom.
Was Ignatius a disciple of John?
Yes, Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of John the Apostle.
Why is Saint Ignatius celebrated?
Which Saint Ignatius? There are several.
Which named saints were fed to lions?
Saint Ignatius of Antioch is perhaps the most famous example, but there were dozens of named saints who were fed to the lions by the Romans.
