Pioneers of the Spirit: Dante Alighieri

The poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) was born in Florence, Italy, the son of a notary. Dante first saw Beatrice in 1274 when he was nine years old, and she became the inspiration for his later poetic works. Her death in 1290 was a profound shock to Dante. He was a soldier for a while and entered politics, in which he sided with the enemies of Pope Boniface VIII. He was eventually banished from Florence. His best known work is The Divine Comedy - the poet's imaginary journey to hell and purgatory.

Home Use Only.