| The Spheres. | | Angelic Orders. | Sciences. | Virtues. | CANTOS |
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| The Order of the Universe and the Eternal Law. | | | | i. |
| First Heaven, of the Moon. | (Physical phenomena the work of Celestial Intelligences.) Inconstant in vows;
Piccarda Donati and Empress Constance. (Freedom of the Will.) | Angels (guardians of individuals and bearers of tidings of God’s bounty). | Grammar. | Deficient Fortitude. | ii.-v. |
| Second Heaven, of Mercury. | Ambitious spirits of the Active Life;
Justinian and Romeo.
(The Roman Empire and the Mystery of
Redemption.) | Archangels (announce messages of great import and protect nations). | Logic. | Imperfect Justice. | v.-vii. |
| Third Heaven, of Venus. |
Purified Lovers; Carlo Martello, Cunizza, Folco, Rahab.
(Constitution of Society and bad government.) | Principalities (regulate earthly principalities and draw
princes to rule with love). | Rhetoric. | Defective Temperance. | viii.-ix. |
| Termination of Earth’s Shadow. | | | | | ix. |
| Fourth Heaven, of the Sun. | Doctors and Teachers. Aquinas, Albertus, Gratian, Peter Lombard, Solomon,
Dionysius, Orosius, Boëthius, Isidore,
Bede, Richard, Siger. Bonaventura,
Agostino and Illuminato, Hugh, Peter
Comestor, Peter of Spain, Nathan,
Chrysostom, Anselm, Aelius Donatus, Rabanus, Joachim.
(Work of SS. Francis and Dominic; wisdom of Solomon; glory of risen body.) | Powers (represent Divine Power and Majesty; combat powers of darkness; stay diseases). | Arithmetic. | Prudence. | x.-xiv. |
| Fifth Heaven, of Mars. | Warriors forming Crucifix. Cacciaguida;
Joshua, Judas Maccabaeus, Charlemagne,
Orlando, William of Orange, Renoardo,
Godfrey de Bouillon, Guiscard.
(Florence; Dante’s exile and life-work.) | Virtues (imitate Divine Strength and Fortitude; work signs; inspire endurance). | Music. | Fortitude. | xiv.-xviii. |
| Sixth Heaven, of Jupiter. |
Rulers form Imperial Eagle. David;
Trajan, Hezekiah, Constantine, William
II. of Sicily, Rhipeus. (Justice, divine and human.) | Dominations (image of Divine Dominion). | Geometry. | Justice. | xviii.-xx. |
| Seventh Heaven, of Saturn. | Contemplative spirits; Peter Damian,
Benedict, Macarius, Romualdus.
(Predestination; the ascetic life; God’s vengeance on corruption.) | Thrones (imitate Divine Steadfastness; execute God’s judgments; purify). | Astrology. | Temperance. | xxi.-xxii. |
| Celestial Ladder. | | | | | xxii. |
| Eighth Heaven, of the Fixed Stars. |
Triumph of Christ; Assumption of Mary;
Peter, James, and John; Adam.
(Theological Virtues; St. Peter’s rebuke of corruption in Church.) | Cherubim (image of Divine Wisdom; spread knowledge of God; illuminate). | Natural Philosophy. | Faith Hope, and Charity. | xxiii.-xxvii. |
| Ninth Heaven, the Crystalline. | The Angelic Hierarchies.
(Creation as illustrating the Divine Love.) | Seraphim (image of Divine Love; render perfect). | Moral Philosophy. | | xxvii.-xxix. |
| Tenth Heaven, the Empyrean. | The Essential Paradise of Angels and Saints. (Throne of Henry VII.) Bernard. Blessed of the Mystic Rose. Gabriel.
Blessed Virgin Mary. | | Divine Science of Theology. | | xxx.-xxxiii. |
| Beatific Vision of the Divine Essence. | | | | | xxxiii. |