Question

what was dante's role?

Answer 1

Here are some great sites on Dante:

http://www.sacklunch.net/biography/D/Dante.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04628a.htm
(Be sure to check the links for further info.)

http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/JEK/09/15.html

Answer 2

You need to narrow the question, in my opinion: role in politics, history, literature, poetry, romanticism all were a part of Dante Alighieri's forte. Some have ventured to even say he is the father of American Literature and Poetry.
There is no doubt he shaped history, and literature (including poetry).