Category Archives: Dante

A new series! We’ll look at the first book in Dante’s Divine Comedy, with brief overviews and highlights – and how this work is relevant for understanding and navigating the world better. In this episode we’ll look at the opening, … Continue reading →

A look at the Sordello’s most famous Provençal Poem “Blacatz” (c. 1240), and how Dante draws inspiration from this poem in his description of the Valley of Princes in Canto VII of the Purgatory.

Here’s a 20 minute Introduction to the “Aeneid Series” on the Ancient World Podcast – with a brief overview and the final battle scenes with Turnus.

The Flight from Troy, by Federico Barocci. We’ve just finished reading (and recording) the Aeneid by Virgil – and the last episodes will be up from April 1st – April 6th on the subscription podcast! Four episodes covering the second … Continue reading →

In the slow anticipation of Ante-Purgatory, Virgil and the Pilgrim meet Sordello, an Italian poet and fellow Mantuan of Virgil. “But see that spirit stationed over there, all by himself, the one who looks at us; he will show us … Continue reading →

Here are the words from Virgil (as Reason) as they’ve started the climb, but the Pilgrim is too distracted by what the other souls might be whispering: “Keep up with me and let the people talk! Be like a solid … Continue reading →

As the Pilgrim and Virgil pass through the tiny opening in the mountain wall of rocks, Virgil proclaims: “Now, do not change your course, keep climbing up the mountain, close to me, until we find a more experienced guide.” Suggesting … Continue reading →

After the Pilgrim has lost his sense of time while being absorbed in a conversation, he and Virgil have the tiny opening in the mountain rock wall pointed out them – symbolic of how hard it could be to find … Continue reading →

In Purgatory 4 Dante comments on the nature of our sense of Time, which is partly related to the context of the Late Repentants – those who were distracted or started late on the Path to seeking deeper, and spiritual, … Continue reading →

From the beach in Purgatory: Thus, where we were, Aurora’s lovely face with a vermilion flush on her white cheeks was aging in a glow of golden light.

At the end of Chapter one in Dante’s Purgatory, Virgil picks up a reed at the shores – a symbol of Humility – and girds the waist of the pilgrim as Cato had instructed them. Then comes one of the … Continue reading →

Good morning! 😊🌇☕️ We’re now at page 225 of 280 in the “Age of Paradise”, just one chapter left about the period from 900-1054 AD. But the first “mini-schism” had already happened with Pope Nicholas in 863, excommunicating the Patriarch … Continue reading →