By Nick Squires

After more than 700 years, a hilltop town in Umbria has formally asked forgiveness for playing a part in the persecution and exile of Dante, Italy's most celebrated poet and the author of The Divine Comedy.

Born into a noble family that had fallen onto hard times in Florence, Dante found himself on the wrong side of the bitter feud between the rival Guelphs and Ghibellines.

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Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/