Il cosmopolitismo dantesco nell’Epistola settima ad Enrico VII di Lussemburgo

Abstract: The seventh letter to Henry VII of Luxembourg is a historical document of extraordinary significance in the political, ethical and jurisdic- tional fields, since with it is taking shape the idea of a supernational and universal Empire, that protects the self-government and the independence of all the countries in equal measure. Moreover, Dante points out that the Emperor has received from God the holy investiture to reestablish justice, order and peace in the questions of internal and foreign policy of the member States. Pax Christiana (Peace in the Christian countries) is the fundamental aim of the Empire. There are many connections between Dante’s political and philosophical essay Monarchia and the seventh letter to Henry VII, but while the essay puts the theoretical foundations of Alighieri’s Cosmopolitism, the seventh letter, together with the fifth and sixth epistles, testifies the concrete political, diplomatic and historical ac- tion of Dante to reorganize peace in Italy and Europe through the imperial fairness.