Marco Lombardo: Terrace 3, Purgatorio 16   The souls purging themselves of their wrathful dispositions are forced to walk through thick acrid smoke that is darker than night (15.142-5; 16.1-15). Unable to see the outside world with their eyes, the penitents experience hallucinatory visions in which they first "see" examples of meekness (the virtue opposite to wrath) and then "see" examples of wrath itself. Marco, who comes from the region of Lombardy in northern Italy (or perhaps belonged to the Lombardi family of Venice), is a courteous, eloquent, and well informed interlocutor. He says little about himself but instead serves as a mouthpiece for some of Dante's most cherished ideas about the relationship between celestial influences and human responsibility, and the balance of power between religious and political institutions. Early commentators and chroniclers tell various stories about Marco: he gave generously of his considerable wealth to those in need, and he forgave all debts upon his death (Buti); he was resolved to die in prison rather than regain his freedom through the financial contributions of his many Lombard colleagues, thus shaming a local ruler into paying the entire ransom himself (Benvenuto); invited to a lavish birthday party for Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, Marco observed that his host was primed for a harsh reversal of fortune (Villani). All attest to Marco's exemplary courtly virtues.