Farinata degli Uberti was a Florentine aristocrat, and a leader of the Ghibelline faction (during the Investiture Controversy, the Guelphs fought for the Pope, while the Ghibellines (Farinata's side) fought for the Holy Roman Emperor). After his death in 1264, he was accused of heresy for Epicureanism (Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who, among other things, said that "the soul dies with the body"), and even had his corpse exhumed so he could be "executed".

In the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri, Farinata is encountered during the tenth canto of Inferno, where he is burning in a tomb within the sixth circle of Hell (reserved for heretics). He has a brief chat with Dante, before they get interrupted by the father of one of Dante's friends (who were both Guelphs). Afterwards, Farinata continuing as if the interruption didn't happen, he tells Dante that damned heretics like himself can see the future, but not the present; in addition to how they will remember nothing after Judgement Day. He also mentions that within his burning tomb also resides cardinal Ottaviano degli Ubaldini, and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. Afterwards, he sinks back into his tomb, causing Dante and Virgil to resume their travel through Hell.