“When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”
In Samuel Johnson's famous quote, "When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully," we find a sobering observation about the power of impending death to focus one's thoughts. Thus is was for the mind and spirit of this soon-to-be martyr.

He writes:
"Allow me to be an imitator of the passion of my God." (Letter to the Romans, 6:3)

In his letters, Ignatius refers to his journey to Rome as divinely ordained, believing God has chosen the time and mean of his death. Thus, he believes his death will serve as a witness to his faith as well as a source of inspiration for the Christian community.

As he travelled in chains to Rome, he wrote letters to the churches, pouring out his heart to them and instructing Christians in faith and exhortations. While they were in Smyrna, Ignatius went to see Polycarp (60–155 CE), an old friend of his who was now the Bishop of Smyrna. Deputies from the churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, and Tralles came to see Ignatius, and it was at Smyrna that Ignatius began to write his series of epistles to the Christian churches in different cities.

In Smyrna, he wrote letters to the Ephesians, the Magnesians, and the Trallesians, exhorting them to obey their bishops, avoid heresies, and keep the faith.

The group left Smyrna by boat to Troas, where Ignatius wrote three more epistles to the Philadelphians, to the Smyrnans, and finally one to Polycarp. He wanted to address the multitudes in Troas, but the guards were refused and took him to Rome to face his death. There, he was torn apart by wild beasts as thousands looked on and cheered.

These are the letters of Ignatius. He was full of faith and eager to prove it to God and his fellow Christians.