Letter of the Smyrnaeans on the Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Letter of the Smyrnaeans on the Martyrdom of Polycarp summarizes the famous martyrdom of Polycarp, who had been the bishop of Smyrna. The church at Philomelium had requested more information on Polycarp’s last days. In response, the church at Smyrna composed the letter, detailing Polycarp’s execution under the Romans. The Romans had varying periods of persecuting Christians; such persecutions happened in particular regions of the empire under specific Roman emperors. Polycarp, from the mid- second century, was one of the church’s early martyrs. He was born about 69 CE and was martyred approximately 156. The exact details of the letter’s composition are not entirely clear. All we know for certain is that it purports to come from the church of Smyrna. The letter was sent to the church at Philomelium, and then it was copied down through the centuries and was circulated widely among the various churches. It is most significant because of its presentation of one of the earliest martyrs from the time period just after the apostles of the New Testament.