The Third Ditch, the Simonists

The simonists are planted head down in identical holes bored into the livid stone, legs out as far as the thigh and the soles of both feet alight (Inf. XIX 22-25); in the game the holes on the floor are fifteen, all alike, set on alternating sides so that a corridor to walk in always runs between them. No whole upended body was built: of a whole body underground you would see only what you see here.

It is the third of the ten districts of the pit, one of the ten crossed on the bridges that run out like spokes, and one of the two you can name from above, because the burning soles make it a lit ring. In one hole, no different from the rest, there is a pope who takes you for the man due to come and take his place (Inf. XIX 52-53): he is the only soul down here who says something useful without having it dragged out of him, and he says it because he has mistaken you for somebody else.