Dante, Inferno
Chiron among the Armed Centaurs
Virgil identifies Chiron as the figure who nursed Achilles. Among the centaurs patrolling the blood-filled fosse, Chiron pushes aside his beard with an arrow and observes that Dante moves the things his feet touch. Virgil confirms that the traveller is living and requests an escort to a ford. Chiron orders Nessus to guide them and keep other troops away.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryVirgil identifies Chiron as the figure who nursed Achilles. Among the centaurs patrolling the blood-filled fosse, Chiron pushes aside his beard with an arrow and observes that Dante moves the things his feet touch.
Further detail
LiteraryVirgil confirms that the traveller is living and requests an escort to a ford. Chiron orders Nessus to guide them and keep other troops away.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the supplied Thompson & Thomas edition of H. F. Cary’s translation. It describes Dante’s literary vision, distinguishing its assignments and reported claims from historical biography, other classical traditions and independently established accounts of an afterlife.
Original passages
Source 1
Dante's Inferno
great Chiron who Achilles nursed ; That other, Fholus, prone to wrath." Around The fosse these go by thousands, aiming shafts At whatsoever spirit dares emergeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 94
Passage read in the exact edition’s extracted canto text; whitespace-normalised anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Associated plates separately inspected.
- Edition
- IMJ-0082-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0082-E001-P0094
- Original scan leaf
- 101
- Recorded leaf number
- 101
- Current Reader position
- 94
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
Moves what he touches? The feet of the dead Are not so wont." My trusty guide, who now Stood near his breast, where the two naturesOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 94
Passage read in the exact edition’s extracted canto text; whitespace-normalised anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Associated plates separately inspected.
- Edition
- IMJ-0082-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0082-E001-P0094
- Original scan leaf
- 101
- Recorded leaf number
- 101
- Current Reader position
- 94
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Nessus as Guide across the Blood
The centaur assigned to escort the travellers through the first round of the seventh circle.
Same subject and traditionAntaeus, Bearer of the Travellers
The unfettered giant who lowers Dante and Virgil toward Cocytus.
Same subject and traditionCharon, Dante’s Ferryman
The fiery-eyed boatman who gathers the dead at Acheron and objects to Dante’s living presence.
Same subject and traditionEphialtes in Chains
The rebellious giant whose immense strength is confined by a repeated chain.