GREED
"Why will we sin, to be thus wasted sore?"

We are greeted by those possessing one of two (2) primary sins: Avarice (Greed) and Prodigal (Desertion). Reference the above picture. Those in this circle are tasked with...

• Rolling great stones to which their chests were set. They crashed together, and then each turned back upon the way he came, while shouts arise, ‘Why clutch it so?’ and ‘Why to hold it slack?’ ...Each, turning, made fresh start through the half circle a new joust to run;

Much like the Greek story of Sisyphus, these sinners are daily tasked with rolling massive stones in semi-circles, only to "smash" into the stones of the others. And who, specifically, were these sinners?

• Each [of the sinners] Was once a clerk, or pope, or cardinal, In whom abound the ripest growths of greed...Not all the gold which is beneath the moon could purchase peace...