Dante Alighieri was born in Florence, Italy, in 1265.¹⁾

He is best known for his epic poem, “The Divine Comedy,” which is considered one of the greatest works of world literature.²⁾

Dante wrote “The Divine Comedy” between 1308 and 1321, completing it shortly before his death.³⁾

“The Divine Comedy” is divided into three parts: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise).⁴⁾

Dante wrote “The Divine Comedy” in Italian, which was unusual for the time, as most literature was written in Latin.⁵⁾

Dante's use of Italian helped to standardize the language and had a significant impact on the development of Italian literature.⁶⁾

He was exiled from Florence in 1302 due to his political activities and spent the rest of his life wandering Italy.⁷⁾

Dante's political beliefs were strongly influenced by the Guelphs, a faction that supported the papacy in its power struggles with the Holy Roman Emperor.⁸⁾

Despite being exiled from Florence, Dante remained fiercely loyal to his hometown and longed to return.⁹⁾

Dante's exile played a significant role in shaping his worldview and influenced much of his writing, including “The Divine Comedy.”¹⁰⁾

In “The Divine Comedy,” Dante encounters various historical and mythological figures, as well as contemporary individuals, as he journeys through the afterlife.¹¹⁾

Dante's guide through Hell and Purgatory is the Roman poet Virgil, whom he greatly admired.¹²⁾

Beatrice Portinari, a woman Dante loved from afar in his youth, serves as his guide through Paradise.¹³⁾