Commentary Inf VI 13-14

For Virgil's description of Cerberus see Aeneid VI.417-418. Dante's version of the mythological creature is unique in its inclusion of human attributes. For the possible influence of the Roman d'Enéas, vv. 2561-89, on Dante's conception of Cerberus see Spag.1997.1, pp. 119-120 (and P.Inf.VI.16 for Pagani's earlier treatment of this correspondence). And for a recent study of the Latin tradition of Cerberus known to Dante see Gent.1997.1, pp. 185-194.