When I had lifted up my brows a little,
The Master I beheld of those who know,
Sit with his philosophic family.
All gaze upon him, and all do him honor.
There I beheld both Socrates and Plato,
Who nearer him before the others stand;
Democritus, who puts the world on chance,
Diogenes, Anaxagoras, and Thales,
Zeno, Empedocles, and Heraclitus;
Of qualities I saw the good collector,
Hight Dioscorides; and Orpheus saw I,
Tully and Livy, and moral Seneca,
Euclid, geometrician, and Ptolemy,
Galen, Hippocrates, and Avicenna,
Averroes, who the great Comment made.

In this passage from "The Divine Comedy," Dante pays homage to the towering figures of ancient philosophy and intellect while journeying through Limbo. The "Master of those who know" is Aristotle, revered by the assembly of thinkers surrounding him. Dante's depiction underscores Aristotle's preeminence in medieval scholarship, signifying the enduring impact of his teachings. The gathering of philosophers, scientists, and poets reflects the breadth of human understanding and the collective quest for knowledge. Notably, figures like Socrates and Plato stand close to Aristotle, underlining their foundational contributions to philosophy. This scene illustrates the reverence these intellectual giants commanded, symbolizing the union of diverse branches of wisdom. Moreover, the inclusion of Averroes highlights the cultural transmission of knowledge across civilizations, as his commentaries brought Aristotle's work to the medieval world. The passage thus celebrates the shared intellectual heritage that transcends time and place, emphasizing the universal pursuit of wisdom.