Abstract
This study aims to reveal the design intention of G. Terragni for Danteum project related to the 'De Monarchia' written by Dante. Terragni was a leading rationalist architect during the period of fascist regime under Mussolini. In spite of not being built, Danteum has been regarded as Terragni's representative work by its design quality and prominent interpretation of theme. So far, the majority of the precedent researches concerning Danteum has focalized on the aspects of architectural composition based on the allegories of 'Divine Comedy'. Thus Danteum has been recognized as a perfect example of materialization of the Divine Comedy through allegories in terms of architecture design, meanwhile the contextual elements as the site condition and sociopolitical atmosphere have been respectively disregarded. But the project for the very heart of ancient Roman Empire had to be carried on under fascist government which needed a strong political dogma for leadership of the regime. This research follows several hypothesis to figure out Terragni's ideas on urban context and political situations. The remaining copy of design report written by Terragni, Relazione sul Danteum, is the primary and direct font of this research but for the loss of the last part and bad state of conservation, it has only limited value. The documents of the first design competitions for the Palazzo Littorio in Rome (1934) might provide important suggestions for its identical site location as that of Danteum project. In conclusion, G. Terragni respected the pre-existing testimonies of the past around the site as well as the present and future meaning and value of the project. His invention of the 'Empire' proposed in Danteum next to the 'Paradise' is his personal interpretation of 'The $3^{rd}$ Rome' promoted by fascist regime. So Danteum is to be examined not only related to the 'Divine Comedy' for traditional christianism but to the 'De Monarchia' for new political ambition toward universal empire pursued by regime at that time.