Aeneas, a Trojan prince, was the son of Venus (known as Aphrodite in Greek mythology) and a mortal named Anchises. According to legend, Venus foretold that Aeneas would establish a great dynasty. The Romans believed he was the founder of their race.
Key points
In Virgil’s epic poem, The Aeneid, Aeneas escapes the destruction of Troy, carrying his father on his back. After a long and arduous journey, during which Anchises dies, Aeneas arrives in Italy and lays the foundation for what would become Rome.
One of the most captivating parts of Aeneas’s story is his love affair with Dido, the Queen of Carthage. Aeneas and his men are shipwrecked by Juno (Hera), who wants to prevent him from fulfilling his destiny. They find refuge in Dido’s court, where Aeneas and Dido fall deeply in love.
However, Aeneas’s fate calls him to leave Carthage. Jupiter (Zeus) sends Mercury (Hermes) to remind Aeneas of his mission. When Dido learns of his departure, she is heartbroken. In her despair, she builds a funeral pyre and, as Aeneas’s ship sails away, she takes his sword and ends her life.
The Role of the Gods
Juno, the goddess of marriage, had a vested interest in keeping Aeneas in Carthage. She had previously made sacrifices to Dido and wanted to ensure that Aeneas would not establish Rome, a city that could threaten Carthage.
Dido had once loved her first husband, Sychaeus, who was murdered by her brother. She vowed never to remarry. However, when Cupid ignited a passion for Aeneas in her heart, she became consumed by love.
Dido’s sister, Anna, supported her feelings for Aeneas. When Dido built the pyre, Anna thought it was for love magic, either to bring Aeneas back or to free Dido from her obsession.
Aeneas’s Journey to the Underworld
After leaving Dido, Aeneas sought to see his father, Anchises, again. He visited the Sibyl of Cumae, who instructed him to find a golden bough in a sacred grove. This bough would allow him to enter the Underworld and meet his father.
In the Underworld, Aeneas encounters Dido, who turns away from him in silence. He also sees souls drinking from the waters of forgetfulness, wishing to erase their past lives. Anchises shows Aeneas a vision of future Roman heroes, including Romulus, the founder of Rome.
The Storm and the Cave
Juno, determined to keep Aeneas from his destiny, sends a storm while he and Dido are hunting. The storm separates them from their companions, forcing them to take shelter in a cave. This moment solidifies their bond, but it is also a manipulation by the gods.
The Birth of Rome
Aeneas’s legacy continues through his descendants. Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome, are said to be descendants of Aeneas. Their mother, Rhea Silvia, was a vestal virgin, and their father was Mars (Ares), the god of war.
After their birth, Rhea Silvia’s uncle, Amulius, killed her and abandoned the twins in the River Tiber. They were saved by a she-wolf and later raised by a shepherd named Faustulus. When they grew up, they avenged their mother by killing Amulius and restoring their grandfather to the throne.
Romulus and Remus decided to build a city on the Tiber. They sought omens from the gods to determine who would rule. Romulus saw twelve vultures, while Remus saw only six. This sign favored Romulus, who began to mark the city’s boundaries.
In a tragic turn, Remus mocked Romulus by jumping over the furrow he had plowed. This act was seen as sacrilegious, and in a fit of rage, Romulus killed his brother. To populate his new city, Romulus declared it a sanctuary, attracting outlaws and eventually leading to the infamous abduction of the Sabine women.
Dido’s Tragic End
Dido’s grief over Aeneas’s departure was profound. She lamented that he had left her without a child to love in his absence. Even in death, she suffered greatly. It was only when Iris, Juno’s messenger, cut a lock of her hair that her soul was finally released from her body.
Conclusion
The story of Aeneas and Dido is a powerful tale of love, destiny
