Commentary Purg XVI 115-120

Dante's geographical reference is to the northeastern sector of Italy, not the territories associated with the presence of the emperor Frederick, but Marco's home ground.  For Dante, Frederick was the last emperor to take his role as emperor of all Europe seriously (see Conv.IV.iii.6, as Pietrobono [DDP Pietrobono.Purg.XVI.117] suggests, where he is described as 'the last emperor of the Romans').  It may seem strange that Dante should here support the kingship of Frederick II, seen among the heretics in hell ([Inf X 119]).  The issue, however, is not Frederick's personal worth, but his rights and privileges as emperor.  These were grounds for contention between Frederick and the Church throughout his reign (1212-1250).