creation

the hero

goddesses

gods

tricksters

afterlife

love

Aenus and Dido

Aeneas and his ships landed in Carthage, founded by a woman named Dido, and she was still queen at the time of Aeneas' arrival. She was very beautiful, and a widow. As Aeneas was a widower, Juno saw this as a perfect opportunity to have Dido and Aeneas fall in love with each other, thereby keeping Aeneas from ever reaching Italy. However, Venus intervened first, and had Cupid shoot an arrow into Dido. Then Venus disguised herself as a huntress and told Aeneas and his best friend, Achates, to go to Carthage to meet the queen. Venus also clouded them in a mist so that they could reach the queen without being harmed or detained. Upon seeing Aeneas, Dido, known for having a heart of stone, fell deeply in love.

Dido held a huge feast for Aeneas and his men. Aeneas told his tale of misery, and of the fall of Troy. Afterwards, Dido told him that all she had was his to share. She did all she could for Aeneas and his men. All she asked for in return was Aeneas' love. As time passed, the idea of leaving the paradise and the arms of a beautiful queen seemed more and more difficult. Juno was quite pleased with the events, but Jupiter had to make sure the Fates were obeyed- even he did not go against their will. Jupiter had Mercury go to Carthage and speak with Aeneas. Mercury asked Aeneas, "How long are you going to waste time here in idle luxury? The ruler of heaven himself has sent me to you. He bids you depart and seek the kingdom which is your destiny." Aeneas at once felt invigorated with the task that lay ahead, but at the same time he did not want to hurt Dido. So, he told his men to secretly prepare a ship for immediate departure. Dido found out, and ran to Aeneas. She begged him not to leave, saying that she loved him and was good to him beyond any other. Aeneas admitted that he, loved her, but he had not nmarried her and was free to leave when he chose. He also said he had been commanded by Jupiter to depart. She again pleaded with him; however, her voice broke with tears, and she fled and hid. With that, Aeneas and men left very quickly. With a word Dido could have killed them all, but they escaped without injury. When he looked back on Carthage, Aeneas noticed a huge fire. He then knew it was a funeral pyre, for Dido had killed herself.