Dalla Translatio imperii al certamen pro imperio: Dante e l’agonismo della storia

The historical reconstruction of the Roman Empire that Dante undertakes in the second book of the Monarchia is grounded on the agonistic similitude of the certamen. As an instrument to ascertain the will of God, the 'race' for world domination won by the Roman people would have established an inviolable right to universal monarchy in the hands of the Roman Emperor. Strengthened by this demonstration, Dante disputes the legal nature of the subsequent translationes Imperii, beginning with the Donation of Constantine, especially whereas they are interpreted as a sign of the supreme pontifical power in political matters: the Holy Roman Empire is the direct heir of the universal monarchy gained by right from the Roman people and its authority depends directly on the divine will.