[3] Although we do not know which specific year Ignatius wrote this letter, he does provide the month and day: August 23 (Ign.
Our evidence for the Ignatius’ journey to Rome primarily comes from the fourth-century church historian Eusebius of Caesarea.
The epistle may have been intended to allow Roman Christians to prepare for Ignatius’ arrival, especially because it includes the specific day and month it was written.
The epistle follows this basic epistolary format: Clayton Jefford provides the following short summary of the epistle: While To the Romans is primarily significant for Ignatius’ discussion of his impending martyrdom, it is also important for serving as a representation of early Christian writing, though it does differ from the other six letters Ignatius wrote.
Ignatius implores the Roman Christians to allow him to be martyred, that they practice what they teach in regard to enduring suffering.
The language Ignatius uses to discuss his death is frequently eucharistic, often referring to the consumption of his body as bread.