Elaborations of his legend state that he was a gladiator or knight who was an attendant to the Emperor Nero, or head of the emperor's personal bodyguard. His full name was Caïus Silvius Torpetius and he was a native of Pisa.. Torpes’ head was tossed into the Arno (and was later claimed by Pisa). His body was placed in a rotten boat with a rooster and a dog, who had been placed there in order to nourish themselves on the saint's body. The boat floated towards Liguria. Torpes was venerated in Pisa, Genoa, and Portugal. He became the patron saint of sailors.