Law
Sara Menzinger
Dante and Virgil, after toiling up a hard rocky slope, arrive at the first of seven terraces Purgatory, where proud are punished for their arrogance. A wall marble stands before them, adorned with carvings sin pride such perfection that execution surpasses not just supreme sculptor Polycletus, but Nature herself (Purg. X, 28–33). Among is one depicting Levite Uzzah, who, Bible recounts, joined procession Israelites behind cart carrying Tablets Law to Jerusalem by King David's order. Uzzah stretched out hand steady threatened overturn because oxen were restless. That gesture, rather than earn divine approval, caused his death. God struck him down on spot punish arrogance irreverence (2 Sam. VI, 4–8).
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