Dante, Purgatory and Paradise
Justinian in Paradise
The speaker identifies himself as the former Caesar Justinian and describes clearing the laws of excess. He connects this work with a correction of his religious understanding and a new dedication to the task. The canto presents his account of the Roman eagle’s victories and introduces Romeo in the same star. Government, law and service become subjects of the encounter within the celestial journey.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryThe speaker identifies himself as the former Caesar Justinian and describes clearing the laws of excess. He connects this work with a correction of his religious understanding and a new dedication to the task.
Further detail
LiteraryThe canto presents his account of the Roman eagle’s victories and introduces Romeo in the same star. Government, law and service become subjects of the encounter within the celestial journey.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows Cary’s translation of Dante’s poem. The entry follows the emperor’s speech in Dante; its compressed political and religious history is the poem’s account rather than a complete history of his reign. Its people and places are presented within the literary vision, with the historical or theological subject distinguished from the role Dante assigns it.
Original passages
Source 1
Purgatory and Paradise: The Vision of Dante
And am JustinianOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante, Purgatory and Paradise; active reader leaf 232
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0119-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0119-E001-P0232
- Original scan leaf
- 233
- Recorded leaf number
- 233
- Current Reader position
- 229
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Purgatory and Paradise: The Vision of Dante
From vain excess to clear the incumberOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante, Purgatory and Paradise; active reader leaf 232
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0119-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0119-E001-P0232
- Original scan leaf
- 233
- Recorded leaf number
- 233
- Current Reader position
- 229
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Literary & Visionary Figures ↗
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The woman whose recognition leads through confession towards the celestial journey.
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The familiar spirit whose delayed repentance becomes a long wait beneath the rock.
Same subject and traditionBernard, Dante’s Final Guide
The elder who directs Dante’s last attention towards Mary and the ultimate vision.
Same subject and traditionCasella
The beloved singer whom Dante tries, unsuccessfully, to embrace after death.