Dante Alighieri, baptized Durante di Alighiero degli Alighieri (Florence, c.29 May 1265-Ravenna, September 14, 1321), was an Italian poet, known for writing the Divine Comedy, one of the fundamental works of the transition of medieval thought to the Renaissance and one of the heights of universal literature.
The exact date of Dante's birth is unknown, although it is generally believed to be around 1265. This can be deduced from the autobiographical allusions reflected in the Vita Nuova.Dante, during his life, Dante actively participated in the political struggles of his time, what was banished from his hometown, and was an active defender of Italian unity. He wrote several treatises in Latin on literature, politics and philosophy. To his pen is due the treaty in Latin De Monarchia, of 1311, which constitutes a detailed exposition of his political ideas, among which are the need for the existence of a Holy Roman Empire and the separation of Church and State. In 1289 he participated in the battle of Campaldino during the war between Florence and Arezzo, and thus contributed to the victory of the Florentines.
Nicknamed "the Supreme Poet" (in Italian "il Sommo Poeta"), he is also considered the "father of the Italian language" (called volgare at that time).
His family was from Florence and his real name was Alaghieri, favorable to the Guelph party. His father, Alighiero de Bellincione, was a white Guelph, but he did not suffer the vengeance of the Ghibellines, after his victory in the Battle of Montaperti. This salvation gave the family a certain prestige. Dante's mother was Bella degli Abati9 and died when the author was between five and six years old. Soon after, his father remarried, this time with Lapa di Chiarissimo Cialuffise. There is controversy regarding that wedding, proposing that the two have joined without getting married, due to the difficulties raised at the time of the wedding of widowers. The couple had two children: Francesco and Tana (Gaetana).
While studying in his native city in 1278, he was a pupil of Brunetto Latini, who makes an appearance in Infierno (song XV), and was a friend of the poet Cavalcanti. When Dante was twelve he became engaged to Gemma, daughter of Messer Manetto Donati, with whom he married in 1291, possibly in the Church of Santa Margarita. Marriages negotiated at such early ages were then frequent and to celebrate these an important ceremony was held, which required official acts signed before a notary. Dante had several children with Gemma: Jacopo, Pietro and Antonia, and perhaps a fourth (Juan). Antonia became a nun by the name of Sister Beatrice.
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