Real
Nile
The Nile is the Egyptian river that in the Commedia indicates Egypt, where Pompey took refuge after his defeat at Pharsalus.
Description
In the Commedia the Nile is recalled as a geographical epitome of Egypt: the expression «al Nil caldo» (to the hot Nile) in Paradiso VI 66 designates the land of the Nile, understood as the farthest extension of the territory traversed by Caesar's armies. The notes to the canto explain that, after the defeat at Pharsalus, Pompey fled to Egypt to King Ptolemy, who had him killed: the grief from the blow thus spread from Pharsalus all the way to the Nile. The same notes recall the Horatian expression «Nilum calentem», pointing out the classical memory underlying the Dantesque image.
In the text
Linked verses
3 verses| Cantica | Canto | Verso | Testo | Open verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inferno | Canto XXXIV | 45 | vegnon di là onde ’l Nilo s’avvalla. | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto XXIV | 64 | Come li augei che vernan lungo ’l Nilo, | Open verse |
| Paradise | Canto VI | 66 | sì ch’al Nil caldo si sentì del duolo. | Open verse |