The Hell's Nine Circles. When Beatrice landed in Hell, she begged the soul of Virgil, a pious Roman poet, to assist Dante in saving her. In exchange for his assistance, Beatrice pledged to laud Virgil in front of God once she was released from Hell. This is why the souls of those who died without repenting are placed in Limbo - until they are given permission to enter Heaven or Hell. Virgil came to life again and traveled with Dante all over Hell and Purgatory. He was able to show them what crimes each of the nine circles of hell represents, and sometimes he would even lead them by the hand into deeper regions of the underworld. When their journey was finished, Virgil died again. But this time he did not go to Heaven or Hell - he stayed with Beatrice in Limbo until told that she needed him no longer. At this point, he returned to Earth. Virgil has been praised by people throughout history for his role as Dante's guide. He is considered to be one of the most important poets in European literature. Here is where things get a little confusing. Others believe it is one person who had multiple lives.