The episode is preserved in the apocryphal Acts of Peter (mid-second century, drawing on earlier oral tradition). During the Neronian persecution that followed the great fire of Rome in 64, the Christian community of Rome implored Peter — their bishop — to flee for the sake of the Church. Yielding, Peter took the Appian Way south out of the city.
About two Roman miles from the city wall he met the risen Christ walking northward into Rome. 'Domine, quo vadis?' — 'Lord, where are you going?' Christ answered: 'Romam vado iterum crucifigi' — 'I go to Rome to be crucified again.' Peter understood, turned about, and returned to Rome to his arrest, his crucifixion (head downward at his own request), and his martyrdom at the Vatican Hill. A small church — Santa Maria delle Piante, popularly the church of Domine Quo Vadis — marks the traditional site of the encounter on the Appian Way, with a copy of a stone slab bearing two footprints venerated as the prints Christ left at the meeting.