Dido

Dido (/ˈdaɪdoʊ/ DY-doh; Ancient Greek: Διδώ Greek pronunciation: [diː.dɔ̌ː], Latin pronunciation: [ˈdiːdoː]), also known as Elissa (/əˈlɪsə/ ə-LISS-ə, Ἔλισσα),^[1] was the legendary founder and first queen of the Phoenician city-state of Carthage (located in Tunisia), in 814 BC. In most accounts, she was the queen of the Phoenician city-state of Tyre (located in Lebanon) who fled tyranny to found her own city in northwest Africa. Known only through ancient Greek and Roman sources, all of which were written well after Carthage's founding, her historicity remains uncertain. The oldest references to Dido are attributed to Timaeus, who was active around 300 BC, about five centuries after the date given for the foundation of Carthage.

Timaeus, a Tauromenian, told the legends and stories surrounding the founding of Carthage in his Sicilian History. Timaeus, as a writer, took much interest and focused in on the city of Carthage, as well as Sicily and the surrounding areas. He detailed his acceptance of similar dates of foundation for the cities of Rome and Carthage, which pointed to his acknowledgement of the growing differences between Rome and Carthage.^[2] According to Timaeus, Dido founded the city of Carthage in 814 BCE and his writing is the original story of the foundation of Carthage and Dido.^[3]

Details about Dido's character, life, and role in the founding of Carthage are best known from the account given in Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid, written around 20 BC, which tells the legendary story of the Trojan hero Aeneas. Dido is described as a clever and enterprising woman who flees her ruthless and autocratic brother, Pygmalion, after discovering that he was responsible for her husband's death. Through her wisdom and leadership, the city of Carthage is founded and made prosperous.

The history of the ancient city of Carthage is typically divided into five major periods, Ancient, Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, and Muslim Arab Carthage. These periods have to do with different powers that took control of the city throughout different times in history. Prior to their altercations with Roman forces, Carthage was known as the largest, most affluent, and powerful political entity in the Mediterranean. Holding the title of the greatest Mediterranean power, Carthage attracted many refugees from the city of Tyre and expanded their control with colonies all along the North African coast.^[4] They remained the most powerful city in the Mediterranean until the Punic Wars raised Rome to this title.

Dido remains an enduring figure in Western culture and arts since the early Renaissance and into the 21st century. In the early 20th century, she was also chosen as a national symbol in Tunisian nationalism and so Tunisian women can be poetically referred to as "Daughters of Dido".

Dido (Elissa) has also been represented on Tunisian currency in 2006.^[5]