Niccolò

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In the twenty-ninth canto of the Inferno, within the ditch of the alchemists, the character of Capocchio points out Niccolò as one of those who spend their wealth in vanity, according to the list of spendthrift Sienese («la costuma riccha del Garbo»). In the twentieth canto of the Purgatorio, among the examples of virtue proclaimed by the purging souls, Niccolò is recalled for his act of helping three poor maidens, throwing money to them at night to save them from shame. Critical notes identify this Niccolò with Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra in Lycia and patron saint of Bari, whose legend, narrated among others by Buti, recounts the episode of the three maidens. The identity of the Sienese Niccolò of the Inferno is instead distinct and concerns a spendthrift from Siena, as can be inferred from the context of the Sienese survey conducted by Capocchio.