Δάντης, known as Dante Alighieri, was an influential Italian poet born in 1265 in Florence. He is best known for his epic poem, The Divine Comedy, which explores themes of morality, the afterlife, and human experience. The work is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso, each depicting different realms of the afterlife. Dante's writing is characterized by its vivid imagery and complex allegories. He is often regarded as the father of the Italian language, as he chose to write in the vernacular rather than Latin. His contributions to literature and philosophy have had a lasting impact on Western thought.