Dido (Elissa)

Dido, also known as Elissa, was the legendary founding queen of Carthage, an ancient city located in present-day Tunisia. According to mythology, she fled her homeland of Tyre to escape her brother. Dido is well-known for her tragic love story with the Trojan hero Aeneas, as recounted in Virgil’s epic, the "Aeneid." After Aeneas leaves her to fulfill his destiny, Dido is heartbroken and ultimately takes her own life. Her story embodies themes of love, betrayal, and tragedy, making her a significant figure in classical literature and history.