The de Monarchia of Dante Alighieri (Barnes & Noble Digital Library) (Electronic book text)

A seminal essay on secular and religious power, "De Monarchia" examines the relationship between secular authority (represented by the Holy Roman Emperor) and religious authority (represented by the Pope)--a controversial subject at the time. Dante's point of view is clear; he had defended the autonomy of Florence against the demands of Pope Boniface VIII.