ROME:                  “two suns”

            Roman Empire: universal political power
                ordained by God (unlike Augustine

            Constantine as pivotal figure: conversion
                                   move to East
             Roman Church:  founded by Christ

Procession in the Earthly Paradise  Purg 29-32
            = History of the Christian Church

Source: New Testament, Book of Revelation (Apocalypse)

Scene I.

Chariot:  Church
Griffin:  Christ

Tree:  bare tree of Adam (after fall)
          provides wood for Christ’s Cross
          renewed when Chariot is tied to tree
          symbol of Redemption of  mankind

Beatrice Speech Purg 32
    prophecy of Dante’s salvation
    tell world what he sees,  “watch the chariot”         

Scene II. 

Eagle: Empire --  attacks on tree, chariot

Fox: heresy – chased by Beatrice

Eagle: spreads feathers over chariot (corruption)

Small bark:  Church

Dragon: Schism cuts off bottom of chariot

Chariot sprouts 7 monsters

Whore: corrupt Papacy

Giant: King of France