Heavens

Souls Encountered

Subjects, Events

Angelic Orders

Virtues

Cantos

Ascent from earth. The natural order of the universe.

FIRST

HEAVEN

(Moon)

The inconstant in vows:

Piccarda, the Empress  Constance.

Physical phenomena

the work of celestial Intelligences; the freedom of the will.

Angels (guardians of

persons and bearers

of tidings of God's

bounty).

Fortitude

(in which these souls were

deficient).

ii-v

SECOND

HEAVEN

(Mercury)

The ambitious of the active life:

the Emperor Justinian, Romèo.

The history of the Roman Empire; the mystery of the Redemption.

Archangels (protectors of nations and bearers of tidings of great import).

Justice

(in which these souls were deficient).

v-vii

THIRD

HEAVEN

(Venus)

The lovers: Charles Martel,

Cunizza, Foulquet of Marseilles,

Rahab.

The constitution of society; usurpation of rights.

Principalities

(regulators of

human government).

Temperance

(in which these souls were deficient).

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Ascent beyond the shadow of earth.

ix

FOURTH

HEAVEN

(Sun)

Theologians, Teachers, Historians,
etc.: Aquinas, Albertus, Gratian, Peter Lombard, Solomon, Dionysius, Orosius, Boethius, Isidore, Bede, Richard, Sigier, Bonaventure, Agostino, Illuminato, Hugh, Petrus Comestor, Peter of Spain, Nathan, Chrysostom, Anselm, Donatus, Rabanus, Joachim.

The life of St Francis; the life of St Dominic; the wisdom of Solomon; the. glory of the resurrected body.

Powers

(image of
Divine Power and majesty, combaters

of the powers of

darkness and of

disease).

Prudence

x-xiv

FIFTH

HEAVEN

(Mars)

The Warriors: Cacciaguida, Joshua, Judas Maccabaeus, Charlemagne, Roland, William of Orange, Renouard, Godfrey of Bouillon, Guiscard.

Early Florence;

Dante's exile; his mission and work.

Virtues (image of Divine Strength and Fortitude, workers of signs, inspirers of endurance).

Fortitude

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SIXTH

HEAVEN

(Jupiter)

The Just: David, Trajan,

Hezekiah, Constantine, William II of Sicily, Rhipeus.

Divine and human justice; grace and salvation.

Dominations (image of Divine Dominion).

Justice

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SEVENTH

HEAVEN

(Saturn)

The Contemplatives:

Peter Damian, Benedict,

Macarius, Romualdus.

Predestination; the ascetic life; God's coming vengeance on corrupt monasticism.

Thrones

 (image of Divine Steadfastness, executors of God's judgements).

Temperance

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Ascent of the Celestial Ladder.

xxii

EIGHTH

HEAVEN

(Fixed stars)

Triumph of Christ; The Virgin

Mary; St Peter; St James; St John; Adam.

Dante's examination in the three theological virtues; St. Peter's rebuke to the Church; Dante's temporary blindness.

Cherubim

 (image of Divine Wisdom).

Faith, Hope, and

Charity.

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NINTH

HEAVEN

(Primum

Mobile)

Dante's vision of the angelic hierarchies;

the Creation.

Seraphim (image of Divine Love).

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TENTH

HEAVEN

(Empyrean)

St Bernard; the Blessed in the

Celestial Rose.

Beatrice returns to her throne in the Empyrean;

 Prayer of St Bernard.

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Dante beholds God.

xxxüi