Commentary Par XXI 111

John of Serravalle (DDP Serravalle.Par.XXI.106-111) distinguishes among latrìa (the accent in the poem may be due to the requirements of rhyme or, as Scartazzini suggests [comm. to this verse], to Dante's small Greek), dulia, and yperdulia. The first is defined as honoring God alone; the second, those who are virtuous (e.g., the saints); the third, 'things excellent' (examples are Mary and the cross). Tommaseo (DDP Tommaseo.Par.XXI.109-111) mentions the appearance of the term in both Augustine (DcD X.1) and Aquinas (ST II-II, q. 81, a. 1). Pietro di Dante (DDP Pietro1.Par.XXI.106-111) was the first to cite Isidore of Seville for the term (Etym VIII.xi.11).