A new translation by Anthony Esolen Illustrations by Gustave Doré Written in the fourteenth century by Italian poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy is arguably the greatest epic poem of all time--presenting Dante's brilliant vision of the three realms of Christian afterlife: Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise. In this second and perhaps most imaginative part of his masterwork, Dante struggles up the terraces of Mount Purgatory, still guided by Virgil, in a continuation of his difficult ascent to purity. Anthony Esolen's acclaimed translation of Inferno, Princeton professor James Richardson said, "follows Dante through all his spectacular range, commanding where he is commanding, wrestling, as he does, with the density and darkness in language and in the soul. It is living writing." This edition of Purgatory includes an appendix of key sources and extensive endnotes--an invaluable guide for both general readers and students.