Dante’s Bones: A History of the Idea of Italy

Originally published on October 28, 2020 (Episode 183)

Introduction

In 1321, Dante Alighieri died in the city of Ravenna, near the shores of the Adriatic. In the years since his perpetual exile from his native Florence, he had lived in a variety of places across Italy. Now he was at rest.

But in future centuries, even Dante’s bones would continue to move—though never so far as his body had moved in life. And as his body diminished, his influence and legacy grew and grew, sometimes appearing in the oddest of places.

Ultimately, the history of Dante’s bones is the history of the idea of Italy. Guy Raffa has written a history of Dante’s legacy, appropriately titled Dante’s Bones: How a Poet Invented Italy.

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About the Guest

Guy Raffa is Associate Professor of Italian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on Dante, Italian literature, and cultural memory. In addition to Dante’s Bones, he is the creator of the award-winning Danteworlds website, an integrated multimedia journey through the Divine Comedy.

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For Further Investigation

• Guy Raffa, Dante’s Bones: How a Poet Invented Italy (Harvard University Press, 2020)

• Danteworlds — multimedia journey through Dante’s Divine Comedy

• Digital Dante — research and commentary on Dante’s works and reception

• Atlas Obscura, “Dante’s Tomb” (essay with photos)

• Canto per Canto: Conversations with Dante in Our Time

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Listen & Discuss

How does Dante’s legacy shape your own image of Italy—or of poetry’s power? Share your reflections in the comments, and forward this episode to a friend who might enjoy the journey through Dante’s afterlives.

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