On Monarchy

1313; On Monarchy), in which he expands the political arguments of the Convivio. In the embittered atmosphere caused by Clement’s deceit, Dante turned his argumentative powers against papal insistence on its superiority over the political ruler—that is, against the argument that the empire derived its political…

In De monarchia (c. 1313), still in principle highly relevant, Dante insists that only through universal peace can human faculties come to their full compass. But only “temporal monarchy” can achieve this: “a unique princedom extending over all persons in time.” The aim of civilization is…

>De Monarchia (“Concerning the Monarchy”), the pope, as the head of the spiritual aspects of society, and the emperor, as the ruler of the temporal areas of concern, were equally ordained by God to exercise their functions in their respective spheres of power and influence…

His De monarchia (c. 1313; On Monarchy), one of the most important tracts of medieval political philosophy, was the first major step in what would ultimately become the doctrine of the separation of church and state. His De vulgari eloquentia (c. 1304–07; On Vernacular Eloquence) was…

1313; On Monarchy), Dante expounded his political theories, which demanded the coordination of the two medieval powers, pope and emperor.