The Evangelist St. John on the island of Patmos, with his symbol the eagle

John was banished to Patmos by the Roman authorities during the reign of the emperor Domitian, where he wrote the book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament. In works of art, St. John is often shown holding a book or scroll, symbolizing the text of Revelation, or with a quill pen, signifying his role as an author.