Dante's Social Role
Dante was born in Florence in 1265 and his family was said to come from the ancient seed of the Romans, founders of Florence (Inf. XV, 73-78). According to Dante, his great-grandfather Cacciaguida (Par. XV, 130-148) was knighted by the Emperor Conrad III, dying subsequently in the Holy Land during the Second Crusade. Dante was known as one of the most famous authors of the Middle Ages, whose relevant works are still today studied by many scholars, members of various societies of Dante that are located in all place of the world. As already underlined by the works of Dante's interpreters, his works show how deeply the poet felt the social role of the artist and how deeply he was involved in the political-philosophical debate of his century,