Families and factions

Da Polenta

A noble family of Ravenna mentioned by Guido da Montefeltro in his survey of the Romagnol cities. They are referred to as «l'aguglia da Polenta» that «covers» Ravenna, in a heraldic image analogous to those of the other territorial coats of arms.

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The Da Polenta governed Ravenna from 1273, after the lordship of the Traversari; in 1300 they were still in power in the city. In the prophecy of Guido da Montefeltro (Inf. XXVII, v. 41), the house is evoked through its heraldic emblem, the eagle, which «covers» Ravenna, that is, clutching it under its wings. The simile is presented as symmetrical to that of the «green lion» of the Ordelaffi over Forlì (Inf. XXVII 45), in a passage in which Dante reviews the «tyrants» of Romagna, driven by the same hidden wars that trouble Florence. There are no other verses or authorized notes concerning this family in the material provided.

In the text

Linked verses

1 verses
CanticaCantoVersoTestoOpen verse
InfernoCanto XXVII41l’aguglia da Polenta la si cova,Open verse