Dante, poised between the mountain of purgatory and the city of Florence, a detail of a painting by Domenico di Michelino, Florence 1465.

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is a long allegorical poem in three parts or canticas (or "cantiche"), Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise), and 100 cantos, with the Inferno having 34, Purgatorio 33, and Paradiso 33 cantos. Set at Easter 1300, the poem describes the living poet's journey through hell and purgatory to paradise.

Throughout the poem, Dante refers to people and events from Classical and Biblical history and mythology, the history of Christianity, and the Europe of the Medieval period up to and including his own day. A knowledge of at least the most important of these references can aid in understanding the poem fully.

For ease of reference, the cantica names are abbreviated to Inf., Purg., and Par. Roman numerals are used to identify cantos and Arabic numerals to identify lines. This means that Inf. X, 123 refers to line 123 in Canto X (or 10) of the Inferno and Par. XXV, 27 refers to line 27 in Canto XXV (or 25) of the Paradiso. The line numbers refer to the original Italian text.

Boldface links indicate that the word or phrase has an entry in the list. Following that link will present that entry.

Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z — References

A

Abraham Sacrificing Isaac by Laurent de LaHire, 1650
  • Abraham the Patriarch: Important biblical figure.
  • Absalom and Ahitophel: Absalom was the rebellious son of King David who was incited by Ahitophel, the king's councilor.
    • Bertran de Born compares his fomenting with the "malicious urgings" of Ahitophel. Inf. XXVIII, 136–8.
  • Acheron: The mythological Greek underworld river over which Charon ferried souls of the newly dead into Hades.
    • The "melancholy shore" encountered. Inf. III, 71–8.
    • Formed from the tears of the statue of the Old Man of Crete. Inf. XIV, 94–116.
  • Achilles: The greatest Greek hero in the Trojan War. Although Homer has him die in battle after killing Hector, another account well known in the Middle Ages has him killed by Paris after having been lured with the promise of Priam's daughter Polyxena.
    • Found amongst the sexual sinners. Inf. V, 65.
    • Remembered by Virgil for having been educated by Chiron. Inf. XII, 71.
    • His abadonment of Deidamia and his only son, at the urging of Ulysses, to go to the war against Troy. Inf. XXVI, 61–2.
  • Acre: Ancient city in Western Galilee, it was the last Christian possession in the Holy Land, finally lost in 1291. Inf. XXVII, 86.
  • Adam: According to the Bible, the first man created by God.
    • His "evil seed". Inf. III, 115–7.
    • Our "first parent", raised by Jesus from Limbo into Paradise. Inf. IV, 55.
  • Adam of Brescia: See Master Adam.
  • Aegina: A Greek island between Attica and Argolis in the Saronic Gulf. According to tradition it was named by its ruler Aeacus — son of Zeus and Aegina, daughter of the river-god Asopus — after his mother. In Ovid's Metamorphoses (VII, 501–660), Aeacus, tells of a terrible plague inflicted by a jealous Juno (Hera), killing everyone on the island but Aeacus; and how he begged Jupiter (Zeus) to give him back his people or take his life as well. Jupiter then turned the islands ants into a race of men called the Myrmidons, some of whom Achilles ultimately led to war against Troy.
    • "… all Aegina's people sick … when the air was so infected … received their health again through seed of ants.", compared with "the spirits languishing in scattered heaps" of the tenth Malebolge. Inf. XXIX, 58–65.
Aeneas flees burning Troy, Federico Barocci, 1598 Galleria Borghese, Rome
  • Aeneas: Hero of Virgil's epic poem Aeneid, his descent into hell is a primary source for Dante's own journey.
    • Son of Anchises, fled the fall of Troy. Inf. I, 74–5.
    • "Father of Sylvius", journey to Hades, founder of Rome. Inf. II, 13–27.
    • When Dante doubts he has the qualities for his great voyage, he tells Virgil "I am no Aeneas, no Paul". Inf. II, 32
    • Seen in Limbo. Inf. IV, 122.
    • "Rome's noble seed". Inf. XXVI. 60.
    • Founder of Gaeta. Inf. XXVI, 93.
  • Aesop: A semi-legendary Greek fabulist of whom little reliable is known. A famous corpus of fables is traditionally assigned to him.
    • His fable of the Frog and the mouse is mentioned. Inf. XXIII, 4–6.
  • Ahitophel: See Absalom.
  • Alardo: See Tagliacozzo.
  • Alberto da Casalodi: Guelph count of Brescia, he was Signore of Mantua during the feuding between Guelphs and Ghibellins. He was ousted in 1273 by his advisor Pinamonte dei Bonacolsi.
    • His foolishness ("la mattia da Casalodi") in trusting Pinamonte. Inf. XX, 95–6.
  • Alberto da Siena: See Griffolino of Arezzo.
Albertus Magnus (fresco, 1352, Treviso, Italy) by Tommaso da Modena (1326–1379)
  • Albertus Magnus (c.1197-1280): Dominican friar, scholar, and teacher of Thomas Aquinas.
    • Standing to the right of Thomas Aquinas in the sphere of the Sun. Par. X, 98-9.
  • Tegghiaio Aldobrandi: Florentine son of the famous Aldobrando degli Adimari, he was podestà of Arezzo in 1256 and fought at the battle of Montaperti in 1260, where his warnings against attacking the Senese forces went unheeded, and the Florentines were annihilated.
    • One of a group of famous political Florentines, "who were so worthy … whose minds bent toward the good", asked about by Dante of Ciacco. Inf. VI, 77–81.
    • One of a group of three Florentine sodomites who approach Dante, and are much esteemed by him (see Jacopo Rusticucci). Inf. XVI, 1–90.
    • Cryptically described as he, "la cui voce nel mondo sù dovria esser gradita" ("whose voice the world above should have valued"), probably an allusion to his councils at Montaperti. Inf. XVI, 40–2.
  • Alecto: see Erinyes.
Alexander the Great, mosaic detail, The National Archaeological Museum of Naples, 1st century BC
St. Thomas Aquinas from the Demidoff Altarpiece by Carlo Crivelli
  • Thomas Aquinas: Dominican theologian considered to be one of the greatest scholars of the Church.
    • He introduces wise men in the sphere of the Sun. Par. X, 98–138.
    • He eulogises St. Francis. Par. XI, 37–117.
    • He condemns Dominicans who have strayed from the true Dominican charism. Par. XI, 124–39.
  • Arachne: In Greek mythology, a weaver who challenged Athena to a contest of skill. She hanged herself as a result of shame at her own presumptuousness.
  • Arcolano of Siena: A member of the Maconi family, he was a member of the notorious Sienese Spendthrift Club. He fought in the battle of Pieve al Toppo in 1288, where according to Giovanni Boccaccio, he preferred to die in battle rather than live in poverty.
    • Probably "Lano", one of two spendthrifts (the other being Jacomo da Sant' Andrea) whose punishment consists of being hunted by female hounds. Inf. XIII, 115–29.
  • Arethusa: In Greek mythology she was a nymph daughter of Nereus. Running away from a suitor, Alpheus, she was transformed by Artemis into a fountain.
    • Her transformation, as described in Ovid's Metamophoses (V, 572–641), is compared to the fate of the thieves. Inf. XXV, 97–9.
    • Geryon's adornments, compared to her weavings. Inf. XVII, 14–8.
  • Filippo Argenti: A Black Guelph and member of the Adimari family, who were enemies of Dante. Inf. VIII, 31–66.
  • Ariadne: Daughter of Minos, king of Crete, who helped Theseus kill the Minotaur, the offspring of Ariadne's mother Pasiphaë and a bull.
    • Referred to as the sister of the Minotaur. Inf. XII, 20.
  • Aristotle: 4th century BCE Greek philosopher whose writings were a major influence on medieval Christian scholastic philosophy and theology, particularly on the works of Thomas Aquinas.
    • As "il maestro di color che sanno" ("the master of those who know") he is among those encountered by Dante in Limbo Inf. IV, 131.
    • His Nicomachean Ethics quoted by Virgil. Inf. XI, 79–84.
    • His Physics, referred to by Virgil. Inf. XI, 101–4.
  • Argives: People of Argos, or more generally all Greeks Inf. XXVIII, 84.
  • Arles: City in the south of France and supposed location of the tombs of Charlemagne's soldiers who fell in the battle of Roncesvalles.
    • Simile for the tombs in the sixth circle. Inf. IX, 112.
  • Aruns: In Lucan's epic poem Pharsalia, he is the Etruscan seer who prophesies the Civil war, Caesar's victory over Pompey, and its ending in 48 BCE.
    • Seen among the seers. Dante mentions his cave, which he locates (erroneously) near Luni. Inf. XX, 46–51.
  • Asdente: See Mastro Benvenuto.
  • Athamas: See Hera.
Attila meeting Pope Leo from the Chronicon Pictum, c. 1360.

B

  • Bacchus: The Roman name of the Greek god Dionysus, protector of wine.
    • Born in the Thebes. Inf. XX, 59.
  • Barratry: The sin of selling or paying for offices or positions in the public service or officialdom (cf. simony).
    • One of the sins of ordinary fraud punished in the Eighth Circle of hell. Inf. XI, 60.
    • The barrators, are found in the fifth pouch in a lake of boiling pitch guarded by the Malebranche. Inf. XXI–XXII.
The meeting of Dante and Beatrice, Henry Holiday
  • Beatrice (1266–1290): Dante's idealised childhood love, Beatrice Portinari. In the poem, she awaits the poet in Paradise. She symbolised Heavenly Wisdom.
    • The "worthier spirit" who Virgil says will act as Dante's guide in Paradise. Inf. I, 121–3.
    • Asks Virgil to rescue Dante and bring him on his journey. Inf. II, 53–74.
    • Asked by Lucia to help Dante. Inf. II, 103–14.
    • When Dante appears upset by Farinata's prophecy on his future exile, Virgil intervenes and explains to him that Beatrice, "quella il cui bell' occhio tutto vede" ("one whose gracious eyes see everything"), will eventually clarify all. Inf. X, 130–2.
    • Virgil, speaking with Chiron, alludes to Beatrice as she who has entrusted Dante to him. Inf. XII, 88.
    • Speaking with Brunetto Latini Dante alludes to her as the woman who shall fully explain the sense of Brunetto's prophecy regarding his exile from Florence. Inf. XV, 90.
  • Saint Bede: English monk, and scholar, whose best-known work, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) gained him the title "The father of English history".
    • Encountered in the Fourth Sphere of Heaven (The sun). Par. X, 130–1.
  • Mastro Benvenuto: Nicknamed Asdente ("toothless"), he was a late 13th century Parma shoemaker, famous for his prophecies against Frederick II. Dante also mentions him with contempt in his Convivio, as does Salimbene in his Cronica, though with a very different tone.
    • Among the soothsayers. Inf. XX, 118–120.
  • Gualdrada Berti: Daughter of Bellincione Berti dei Ravignani, from about 1180 wife to Guido the Elder of the great Guidi family, and grandmother of Guido Guerra. The 14th century Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani remembers her as a model of ancient Florentine virtue.
    • "The good Gualdrada". Inf. XVI, 37.
  • Bertran de Born (c. 1140–c. 1215): French soldier and troubadour poet, and viscount of Hautefort, he fomented trouble between Henry II of England and his sons.
    • Among the sowers of discord, where he carries his severed head (although he died a natural death). Inf. XXVIII, 118–142.
    • "The lord of Hautefort." Inf. XXIX, 29.
  • Guido Bonatti: A prominent 13th century astrologer, and a staunch Ghibelline, he is famous for having boasted of being responsible for the Senese victory at Montaperti in 1260.
    • Among the soothsayers. Inf. XX, 118.
  • Bonaventure: Franciscan theologian.
Pope Boniface VIII, fresco by Giotto di Bondone
  • Pope Boniface VIII (c. 1235–1303): Elected in 1294 upon the abdication of Celestine V, whom he promptly imprisoned. He supported the Black Guelphs against Dante's party the White Guelphs (see Guelphs and Ghibellines). He was in conflict with the powerful Colonna family, who contested the legitimacy of Celestine's abdigation, and thus Boniface's papacy. Wishing to capture the impregnable Colonna stronghold of Palestrina, he sought advice from Guido da Montefeltro, offering in advance papal absolution for any sin his advice might entail. He advised Boniface to promise the Colonnas amnesty, then break it. As a result the Collonas surrendered the fortress and it was razed to the ground.
    • "One who tacks his sails". Inf. VI, 68.
    • Referred to ironically using one of the official papal titles "servo de' servi" (Servant of His servants"). Inf. XV, 112
    • Accused of avarice, deceit and violating the "lovely Lady" (the church). Inf. XIX, 52–7.
    • Pope Nicholas III prophesies his eternal damnation among the Simoniacs. Inf. XIX, 76–7.
    • The "highest priest — may he be damned!". Inf. XXVII, 70.
    • The "prince of the new Pharisees". Inf. XXVII, 85.
    • His feud with the Colonna family and the advice of Guido da Montefeltro. Inf. XXVII, 85–111.
  • Guglielmo Borsiere, a pursemaker accused of sodomy (see Sodom), who made a joke that was the subject of the Decameron (i, 8).
    • A sodomite mentioned in Hell Circle VII Round 3 by Jacopo Rusticucci as having spoken to him and his companions of the moral decline of Florence, generating great anguish and inducing Rusticucci to ask Dante for corroboration. Inf. XVI 67–72.
  • Martin Bottario: A cooper of Lucca who held various positions in the government of his city. He died in 1300, the year of Dante's travel.
  • Agnello Brunelleschi: From the noble Florentine Brunelleschi family, he sided first with the White Guelphs, then the Blacks. A famous thief, he was said to steal in disguise.
    • Among the thieves, he merges with Cianfa Donati to form a bigger serpent. Inf. XXV, 68.
  • Brutus, Lucius Junius: Traditionally viewed as the founder of the Roman Republic, because of his role in overthrowing Tarquin, the last Roman king.
    • Seen in Limbo. Inf. IV, 127.
  • Brutus, Marcus Junius (d. 43 BCE): One of the assassins of Julius Caesar, with whom he had close ties. His betrayal of Caesar was famous ("Et tu Brute") and along with Cassius and Judas, was one of the three betrayer/suicides who, for those sins, were eternally chewed by one of the three mouths of Satan. Inf. XXXIV, 53–67.
  • Bulicame: Spring near Viterbo renowned for its reddish colour and sulphurous water. Part of its water was reserved for the use of prostitutes. Inf. XIV, 79–83.

C

  • Caccia d'Asciano: See Spendthrift Club.
  • Venedico and Ghisolabella Caccianemico: Venedico (c. 1228–c. 1302) was head of the Guelph faction in Bologna, he was exiled three times for his relationship with the marquis of Ferrara, Obizzo II d'Este.
    • Found among the panders, he confesses that he prostituted his sister Ghisolabella to Obizzo. Inf. XVIII, 40–66.
  • Cacus: A mythological monster son of Hephaestus, he was killed by Heracles for stealing part of the cattle the hero had taken from Geryon. Dante, like other medieval writers, erroneously believes him to be a Centaur. According to Virgil he lived on the Aventine.
    • As guardian of the thieves he punishes Vanni Fucci. Inf. XXV, 17–33.
Cadmus fighting the dragon. Side A of a red-figured calix-krater found in Sant'Agata de' Goti (Campania), ca. 350–340 BC. From Paestum.
  • Cadmus: Mythical son of the Phoenician king Agenor and brother of Europa, and legendary founder of Thebes. Cadmus and his wife Harmonia are ultimately transformed into serpents. (See also Hera.)
    • His transformation in Ovid's Metamophoses (IV, 562–603) is compared to the fate of the thieves. Inf. XXV, 97–9.
  • Cahors: Town in France that was notorious for the high level of usury that took place there and became a synonym for that sin.
    • Mentioned as being punished in the last circle. Inf. XI, 50.
  • Cain: The son of Adam and brother of Abel.
    • An allusion to a popular tradition that identified the Moon's spots with him. Inf. XX, 126.
  • Caiaphas: The Jewish High Priest during the govenorship of Pontius Pilate of the Roman province of Judea, who according to the Gospels had an important role in the crucifixion of Jesus.
    • Among the hypocrites, his punishment is to be crucified to the ground while the full rank of the sinners tramples him. Inf. XXIII, 110–20.
  • Calchas: Mythical Greek seer at the time of the Trojan war, who as augur at Aulis, determined the most propitious time for the Greek fleet to depart for Troy.
    • With Eurypylus, he "set the time to cut the cables". Inf. XX, 110–1.
  • Camilla: Figure from Roman mythology and Virgil's Aeneid (VII, 803; XI), was the warrior-daughter of King Metabus of the Volsci, and ally of Turnus, king of the Rutuli, against Aeneas and the Trojans, and was killed in that war.
    • One of those who "died for Italy". Inf. I, 106–8.
    • Seen in Limbo. Inf. IV, 124.
  • Cangrande della Scala (1290–1329): Ghibelline ruler of Verona and most probable figure behind the image of the "hound" ("il Veltro"). Inf. I, 101–111.
  • Capaneus: In Greek mythology, in the story of the Seven Against Thebes he defied Zeus who then killed him with a thunderbolt in punishment.
    • Found amongst the violent against God. Inf. XIV, 46–72.
    • His pride is compared with that of Vanni Fucci. Inf. XXV, 15.
  • Capocchio: Burned at the stake for alchemy in 1293.
    • Among the "falsifiers" of metal (alchemists), sitting with Griffolino of Arezzo, propping each other up, as they frantically scratch at the scabs covering their bodies. Inf. XXIX, 73–99.
    • Agrees with Dante about the vanity of the Sienese, giving as examples four of the members of the Sienese Spendthrift Club, then identifies himself. Inf. XXIX, 124–139.
    • He is dragged, with his belly scraped along the ground, by the tusks of Schicchi. Inf. XXX, 28.
  • Caprona: Fortress on the Arno near Pisa, in 1289, it was besieged by a Tuscan Guelph army. The Ghibellines surrendered, and were allowed, under truce, to leave the castle, passing through (with trepidation) the enemy ranks. Caprona's fall along with the Guelph victory in the same year at Campaldino represented the final defeat of the Ghibellines. Dante's reference to Caprona in the Inferno, is used to infer that he took part in the siege.
    • Dante's fear for his safe passage through threatening devils, is compared to the fear of the surrendering solidiers at Caprona. Inf. XXI, 88–96.
  • Cassius: The most senior of Julius Caesar's assassins, Gaius Cassius Longinus was a Roman politician and soldier. Along with Brutus and Judas, he was one of the three betrayer/suicides who, for those sins, were eternally chewed by one of the three mouths of Satan. Inf. XXXIV, 53–67.
  • Castel Sant'Angelo: A Papal castle in Rome with bridge attached. Inf. XVIII, 28–33.
  • Catalano dei Malavolti (c. 1210–1285): From a powerful Guelph family of Bologna, he was podestà in several towns, including Florence, and governor of his city. He was commander of the infantry in the Battle of Fossalta in 1249, when the Ghibellines suffered a crushing defeat. He later became a member of the Knights of St. Mary, founded by Loderingo degli Andalò.
    • Among the hypocrites. Inf. XXIII, 76–144.
  • Catiline: a Roman politician of the 1st century BC who is best known for the "Catiline conspiracy", an attempt to overthrow the Roman Republic, and in particular the power of the aristocratic Senate.
    • Probably Pistoia's "seed", which Pistoia surpasses in "wickedness". Inf. XXV, 12.
  • Cato the Younger (95 BCE–46 BCE) : Politician and statesman in the late Roman Republic, and a Stoic.
    • His crossing of the Libyan desert in 47 BCE provides a simile for the hot sands of the seventh circle. Inf. XIV, 14–5.
  • Cavalcante de' Cavalcanti: (died c. 1280) Father of Guido Cavalcanti, his shade appears to Dante, alongside the shade of Farinata degli Uberti. Inf. X 52–72.
Guido Cavalcanti and Dante
  • Guido Cavalcanti (c. 1255–1300): First Florentine poet of Dolce Stil Novo, close friend of Dante and son of Cavalcante de' Cavalcanti. Inf. X, 56–63, Pur. XI, 97–8.
  • Francesco de' Cavalcanti: Nicknamed Guercio ("one-eyed" or "squinter"), he was murdered for unknown reasons by the inhabitants of the village of Gaville, near Florence. Reportedly his death started a bloody feud between his family and the villagers, leaving most of the inhabitants of Galville dead.
    • Among the thieves, as a "blazing little serpent", he attacks the soul of Buoso Donati, causing it to transform into a serpent, and himself to transform back into human form. Inf. XXV, 82–151.
  • Cecina: See Maremma.
  • Pope Celestine V: A hermit named Pietro da Morrone, he abdicated the Papacy in 1294 after only five months. His successor, Boniface VIII, immediately jailed him and two years later apparently murdered him.
    • Is perhaps the person whose shade Dante meets in the Ante-Inferno, where those who lived "sanza 'nfamia e sanza lodo" (without praise and blame) dwelt, and referred to as the one, "Che fece per viltate il gran rifiuto" (who made, through cowardice, the great refusal). Inf. III, 60.
    • Of whom Boniface says, "I possess the power to lock and unlock Heaven; for the keys my predecessor did not prise are two". 'Inf. XXVII, 105.
  • Centaur: In Greek mythology, a race part Man and part horse, with a horse's body and a human head and torso.
    • Supervising the punishment of the violent. Their leader Chiron appoints one of their number, Nessus, to guide the poets. Inf. XII, 55–139.
    • The only one not with the violent is Cacus, who supervises the thieves. Inf. XXV, 28–30.
  • Ceperano: See Apulia.
Cerberus, picture by William Blake (18th cent.)
  • Cerberus: In Greek mythology, he was the three-headed dog who garded the gate to Hades. In the Aeneid, Virgil has the Sibyl throw a drugged honey cake into Cerberus' mouths, in the Inferno Dante has Virgil throw dirt instead.
    • Encountered In the Third Circle. Inf. VI, 13–33.
    • Example of divine punishment. Inf. IX, 98.
  • Cesena: City on the Savio River during Dante's time, though free, its politics were controlled by Guido da Montefeltro's cousin Galasso da Montefeltro. Inf. XXVII, 52–54.
  • Charles of Anjou (also Charles I of Sicily) (1227–1285): Son of Louis VIII of France, he was one of the most powerful rulers of his age and the undisputed head of the Guelph faction in Italy. His dream of building a Mediterranean Empire was wrecked by the Sicilian Vespers.
    • Dante probably alludes to the Byzantine money that it was believed Nicholas III had taken with the promise to hinder Charles' plans against Constantinople. Inf. XIX, 98–9.
  • Charybdis: In Greek mythology, a sea monster who swallows huge amounts of water three times a day and then spouts it back out again, forming an enormous whirlpool. Mentioned frequently by classical writers.
    • Used in a simile to describe the punishment of the greedy and prodigal in the fourth circle of hell. Inf. VII, 22.
  • Charon: The mythological Greek figure who ferried souls of the newly dead into Hades over the underworld river Acheron. Inf. III, 82–129.
  • Chiron: Leader of the centaurs, legendary tutor of Achilles. Inf. XII, 65.
  • Ciacco ("pig"): Nickname, for a Florentine contemporary of Dante, perhaps well known as a glutton, and probably the same who appears in Boccaccio's Decameron (IX, 8).
    • Central figure of canto VI, he voices the first of many prophecies concerning Florence. Inf. VI, 37–99.
  • Ciampolo di Navarra: Utterly unknown to sources other than Dante, this Ciampolo (i.e. Jean Paul) appears to have been in the service of Theobald II, king of Navarre.
  • Cicero, Marcus Tullius (c. 106 BCE–c. 43 BCE): Roman statesman and author.
    • Encountered by Dante in Limbo. Inf. IV, 141.
  • Circe: Mythical daughter of Helios, god of the Sun, and sister of Aeetis, king of Colchis. She was an enchantress who lived near the Gulf of Gaeta, who turned the crew of Odysseus into pigs on their journey home from the Trojan war. But Odysseus, with the help of Hermes, forced her to release his men from her spell (Ovid, Met. XIV, 435–40). She fell in love with Odysseus and he stayed with her for another year and in some accounts, she had a son Telegonus with Odysseus, who was to accidentally kill him.
    • It is said, by Ulysses (Odysseus), that she "beguiled" him. Inf. XXVI, 90–2.
  • Pope Clement V (1264–1314): Born in France as Bertran de Goth, he was made archbishop of Bordeaux by Pope Boniface VIII. He was elected pope in 1305 and was remarkable for his dissolution of the Templars and his de facto move of the Papal See from Rome to Avignon (See Avignon Papacy). He was thought to have negotiated with Philip IV of France for his papacy, becoming a puppet of the French monarchy.
    • "One uglier in deeds … a lawless shepherd from the west", whose damnation among the Simoniacs is foretold by Pope Nicholas III. Inf. XIX, 79–87.
The Death of Cleopatra by Reginald Arthur, Roy Miles Gallery, London
  • Cleopatra (69–30 BCE): Queen of Egypt, lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Like Dido, she "killed herself for love".
    • Found amongst the sexual sinners. Inf. V, 63.
  • Cluny: A Benedictine monastery founded in 909, in Burgundy. The elegant robes of the Cluniacs are described with irony in a letter of Saint Bernard, a Cistercian, to his nephew Robert, who had left the Cistercians to join the Cluniacs.
    • The "cloaks and cowls" of the hypocrites are compared to the Cluniac robes. Inf. XXIII, 61–3.
  • Cocytus: "The river of lamintation", in Greek mythology, it was the river on whose banks the dead who could not pay Charon wandered. It flowed into the river Acheron, across which lay Hades. In the Inferno it is a frozen lake forming the Ninth Circle and the bottom of Hell.
    • Formed from the tears of the statue of the Old Man of Crete. Inf. XIV, 94–120.
    • Is shut in by cold. Inf. XXXI, 121–2.
    • Described. Inf. XXXII, 22–39.
    • Frozen by flapping of the wings of Dis. Inf. XXXIV, 46–52.
Constantine the Great
(mosaic in Hagia Sophia, Constantinople, c. 1000)

D

The Death of Dido by Joshua Reynolds 1781
Diogenes, Detail of Rafaello Santi's The School of Athens (1510), Vatican collection
Saint Dominic presiding over an auto de fe, Pedro Berruguete, 1475
  • Daedalus: In Greek mythology, he was a legendary inventor and craftsman. He designed the Labyrinth, and fashioned wings for himself and his son Icarus, enabling them to fly.
  • Bonturo Dati (d. 1324): Head of the popular faction in Lucca, he expelled his enemies in 1308 assuming the government of the city, boasting he would put an end to barratry. He is famous for provoking with his jeers in 1313 a war with Pisa, that has been remembered in Faida di Comune by Giosuè Carducci.
    • Sarcastically and ironically said that all Luccans but he are guilty of barratry. Inf. XXI, 41.
  • King David: Biblical king of the Jews. His counselor Ahitophel, incited David's son Absalom against him.
  • Deianira: Wife of Heracles, she was abducted by the centaur Nessus, but Heracles shot him with a poisoned arrow. She was tricked by the dying Nessus into believing that a love potion could be made from his blood, which she later gives to Herakles poisoning him. Inf. XII, 68.
  • Deidamia: Mythical daughter of Lycomedes, king of Scyros, she gave birth to Achilles' only son, Pyrrhus Neoptolemus, but died of grief when, because of the urgings of Odysseus (Ulysses), Achilles left her to go to the war against Troy.
    • Even dead she laments Achilles still. Inf. XXVI, 61–2
  • Democritus (c. 460 BCE–370 BCE): Pre-Socratic Greek philosopher.
    • Encountered by Dante in Limbo, "che 'l mondo a caso pone" ("who ascribes the world to chance"). Inf. IV, 136.
  • Dido: Queen of Carthage. In Virgil's Aeneid, she becomes the lover of Aeneas despite a vow of eternal fidelity to her dead husband Sichaeus. Consequently, as "colei, che s' ancise amorosa" (she who killed herself from love"), Dante places her amongst the sexual sinners. Inf. V, 61–2.
  • Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412 BCE–323 BCE): Greek philosopher.
    • Encountered by Dante in Limbo. Inf. IV, 137.
  • Diomedes: Mythical king of Argus, he participated in the expedition against Troy, where his prowess is extolled in the Iliad. A great friend of Odysseus (Ulysses), he was his companion in many feats, most notably the theft of Troy's Palladium and the ruse of the Trojan Horse.
    • Among the advisors of fraud, he is punished with Ulysses for the sins they both committed at Troy. Inf. XXVI, 52–63.
  • Dionysius the Areopagite (fl. c. 50): Athenian judge who was converted to Christianity and became a bishop of Athens. As was common in the Middle Ages, Dante has confused him with Pseudo-Dionysius, the anonymous fifth-century author of Celestial Hierarchy.
    • Identified in the Heaven of the Sun by Thomas Aquinas. Par. X, 115–7.
  • Dionysius the Elder: Tyrant of Syracuse (405 BCE–367 BCE.
    • Pointed out by Nessus. Inf. XI, 107–8.
  • Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40–c. 90): Greek physician and author of a work on the medicinal properties of plants, hence Dante's description of him as "il buono accoglitor del quale"/"the good collector of the qualities".
    • Encountered by Dante in Limbo. Inf. IV, 139–140.
  • Dis: Another name for Pluto, the Roman god of the underworld, used by Dante as both the name of Satan and his realm.
    • First glimpse of the "crimson" city. Inf VIII, 67–75.
    • Dante refused entry. Inf VIII, 76–130.
    • The city dolente (of sorrowing). Inf IX, 32.
    • Entrance. Inf IX, 73–133.
    • Spoils taken from by Jesus. Inf. XII, 38—39.
    • Pointed out by Virgil. Inf. XXXIV, 20.
  • Fra Dolcino: In 1300 he headed the Apostolic Brothers, a reformist order which, inspired by the example of St. Francis renounced all worldly possessions. He and his followers were condemned as heretics by Clement V, and fled into the hills near Novara. Facing starvation they surrendered and Dolcino was burned at the stake in 1307.
    • Among the "sowers of dissension", Muhammad, says to Dante: "tell Fra Dolcino to provide himself with food, if he has no desire to join me here quickly". Inf. XXVIII, 22–63.
  • Saint Dominic: Founder of the Dominican Order.
  • Buoso Donati: Of the noble Florentine Black Guelph Donati family, he was one of those who accepted the peace between the factions proposed by Cardinal Latino in 1280 . He died around 1285.
  • Cianfa Donati: Of the Donati family, he is known to have acted as advisor to the Capitano del popolo in 1281. In 1289 he is reported as already dead.
    • Among the thieves, he appears as a six-footed serpent, attacks and melds with Agnello Brunelleschi. Inf. XXV, 43–78.
  • Forese Donati (?-1296): A Florentine poet, friend of Dante, and relative of Dante's wife, Gemma Alighieri.
    • Among the gluttons, he predicts disaster for Florence and for his brother, Corso Donati. Purg. XXIII, 42 – XXIV, 99.

E

The Erinyes hector Orestes, in The Remorse of Orestes by William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1862
Ezzelino III da Romano.

F

Francis of Assisi, late 13th century
  • Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226): Son of a wealthy merchant, he spurned his father's riches and founded the Franciscan Order, formally recognized by Pope Honorius III in 1223.
  • Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor: Was renowned for his Epicurean lifestyle, and alleged to have punished traitors by cloaking them in leaden capes and placing them into boiling cauldrons.
    • Among the Epicurean heretics. Inf. X, 119.
    • His capes compared to those of the hypocrites. Inf. XXIII, 66.
  • Vanni Fucci: Nicknamed Bestia, for his brutality, he was the Illegitimate son of Fuccio de' Lazzari. He took part in the vicious struggles that divided his city Pistoia, siding with the Black Guelphs, repeatedly sacked the houses of his political enemies. In 1293, he stole the reliquary of San Jacopo from the sacristy of the Cathedral of Pistoia, for which crime the innocent Rampino Foresi was arrested and nearly executed, before the guilt of Fucci and his accomplices was discovered.
    • Among the thieves, like the mythical phoenix, he is burned to ashes and restored. Inf. XXIV, 97–118.
    • Refers to himself as a "mule" meaning "bastard" ("mul ch'i' fui"). Inf. XXIV, 125.
    • Prophesies the triumph in Florence of the Black Guelphs over the Whites. Inf. XXIV, 143–151.
    • Swears against God while performing an obscene gesture (a "fig", the insertion of a thumb between the first and second fingers of a closed fist). Inf. XXV, 1–18.
  • Furies: see Erinyes.

G

  • Galen (131–201): Ancient Greek physician.
    • Encountered by Dante in Limbo. Inf. IV, 143.
  • Geri del Bello: A second cousin of Dante. Apparently he was killed by the Sacchetti family and avenged by the Alegheri in 1310, with the feud continuing utill 1342.
    • Of whom Dante says "…a spirit born of my own blood … his death by violence for which he still is not avenged". Inf, XXIX, 18–36.
Geryon in a Gustave Doré wood engraving of for The Divine Comedy.
  • Geryon: In Greek mythology, son of Chrysaor and Callirhoe, was a winged giant. The tenth labour of Herakles was to steal his cattle. In Medieval times, he was viewed as an example of treacherous deception, which may explain Dante's choice of him as an emblem of fraud.
    • Guardian of the Eighth Circle, summoned by Virgil, he is encountered in close association with the usurers. Inf. XVI, 106–36.
    • "La fiera con la coda aguzza, che passa i monti, e rompe i muri e l'armi! ... colei che tutto 'l mondo appuzza!" ("The beast who bears the pointed tail, who crosses mountains, shatters weapons, walls! … the one whose stench fills all the worlds!"). Inf. XVII, 1–27.
    • Carries Virgil and Dante on his back. Inf. XVII, 79–136.
    • Sets down Virgil and Dante in the Eighth Circle. Inf. XVIII, 19–20.
  • Giovanni di Buiamonte dei Becchi: Florentine banker, he had held several important offices which earned him a knighthood.
  • Fra Gomita: Chancellor of Nino Visconti and Governor of the giudicato of Gallura, in Sardinia — at the time a possion of Pisa. He accepted a bribe to let escape a group of Visconti's enemies who were in his custody. For this he was hanged.
    • Among the barrators with Michel Zanche, "a dir di Sardigna le lingue lor non si sentono stanche" ("their tongues are never too tired to speak of their Sardinia"). Inf. XXII, 81–90.
  • Gratian: Twelfth-century canon lawyer and Camaldolese monk.
    • Pointed out by Thomas Aquinas in the sphere of the Sun. Par. X, 104.
  • Griffolino of Arezzo: He duped Alberto da Siena saying, that for money, he would teach him to fly. As a result Griffolino was burned at the stake for heresy by the Bishop of Siena, who favored Alberto, who was perhaps the Bishop's illegitimate son.
    • Among the "falsifiers" of metal (alchemists), sitting with Capocchio, propping each other up, as they frantically scratch at the scabs covering their bodies. Inf. XXIX, 73–99.
    • He introduces himself. Inf. XXIX, 109–20.
    • He identifies Schicchi and Myrrha. Inf. XXX, 31–45.
  • Guelphs and Ghibellines: Factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th and 13th centuries. After the Guelphs finally defeated the Ghibellines in 1289 at Campaldino and Caprona, (Dante apparently fought for the Guelphs at both), they began to fight among themselves. By 1300 Dante's city Florence, was "divided" between the Black Guelphs who continued to support the Papacy and Dante's party the White Guelphs. That year the Whites defeated the Blacks and forced them out of Florence, however in 1302, the Blacks with the help of Pope Boniface VIII were victorious and the Whites including Dante were banished from Florence. Inf. VI, 60–72.
    • Florence the divided city. Inf. VI, 61.
    • White Guelphs, party of the woods. Inf. VI, 65.
    • Black Guelphs, prevail with help of Boniface. Inf. VI, 68–9.
    • Rivalry. Inf X.
    • Black and White Guelphs, one after the other, will "hunger" after Dante. Inf. XV, 71–72.
    • The expulsion of the White Guelphs from Florence is prophesied: "Fiorenza rinnova gente e modi". Inf. XXIV, 143–50.
  • Guido Guerra (c. 1220–1272): Member of one of the greatest Tuscan families, he was one of the leaders of the Guelph faction in Florence, under whose banners he fought the disastrous battle of Montaperti in 1260. Exiled following the triumph of the Ghibellines, he returned to Florence in 1267 when the Guelphs retook control of the city.
    • One of a group of three Florentine sodomites who approach Dante, and are much esteemed by him (see Jacopo Rusticucci). Inf. XVI, 1–90.
    • "In sua vita fece col senno assai e con la spada" ("In his life he did much with the senses and the sword"). Inf. XVI, 37–9.
  • Guido da Montefeltro (1223–1298): Renowned leader of the Ghibellines of Romagna. As ruler of Forlì, in 1282, he defeated a French force, which was besieging the city. In 1296 he retired from military life and entered the Franciscan order. Pope Boniface VIII, in 1297, asked his advice on how to capture Palestrina, the impegnable stronghold of the