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Aeneas, Virgil's Aeneid, Greece, Rome Phoenicians Elissa (Dido) Legend of Carthage |
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Elissa and the Founding of Carthage (Dido Building Carthage) by J. M. W. Turner 1815 The legend of Elissa, a Phoenician princess from Tyre, tells how she created the great city of Carthage on the coast of North Africa. Surprisingly enough, much of this story turns out to be historically accurate. Unfortunately this legend was recorded by Greek and Roman writers, whose lands fought long wars with the Phoenicians. That led to a bitter description of the king of Tyre, a boy only eleven years of age, who could hardly have done many things told in the story. Nevertheless, the legend is fascinating. Here it is relayed by the Roman poet Virgil. He uses Roman names in the poem: Aphrodite is called Venus, Elissa is Dido, Acherbas is Sychaeus, and Africa is Libya. Aphrodite tells the story to Aeneas as he arrives on the shore near Carthage. This
that thou seest is [Carthage's] land, by Tyrians peopled; Here
is Agenor’s town; fierce Libyans harass our borders; Dido
is queen of the realm; she abandoned her Tyrian city Fleeing
her brother; —but long are her woes, too long their recital; Nevertheless,
in its broader lines, I will follow her story. She
was the bride of Sychaeus, a man who was counted the richest Owner
of land in Tyre, and devotedly loved by poor Dido, Whom
in her maidenly bloom, her father had pledged in betrothal: Omens
of marriage were bright; but over the Tyrian people Reigned
her own brother Pygmalion as king, —a monster of evil. Bitter
dissension arose in the home, and by avarice blinded, Disregarding
his sister’s love, and defiant of Heaven, Even
at the altar he stealthily slew unwatchful Sychaeus. Long
he concealed the deed, and, imagining many a pretext, Basely
deceived and encouraged the hope of his heart-broken sister. But
in her slumbers the spirit itself of her husband unburied Came,
and uplifting a face of strange and unnatural pallor, Showed
her the blood-stained shrine, and his breast transfixed by the dagger, Plainly
disclosing the secret disgrace of her home and her brother. Then
he adjured her to hasten her flight, and escape from the country, Telling
of treasure long hid in the earth, to aid her departure, Gold
unreckoned in weight, and silver unmeasured in value. Dido,
alarmed by the dream, made ready her flight and her comrades; Gathered
all those to her side who detested the merciless tyrant, All
who were moved by fear. Then, a vessel that chanced in the harbor Seizing,
they freighted with gold, and sordid Pygmalion’s treasure Floated
away on the sea; —and this was the deed of a woman! Down
to this place they came, where soon you will see the majestic Walls
and rising towers of the new-born city of Carthage. Next
they purchased a site, called Byrsa because of their bargain; Only
so much could be bought as their wit could surround by a bull’s hide. Virgil Aeneid
1.335-1.368 Elissa and Aeneas go on to have a love affair which ends tragically when he leaves her to continue his journey. In real life, Carthage arose because of changes in Phoenician society which occurred before the creation of this great city in 814 BC. The amazing history of Carthage's growth to lead an empire of many rich colonies, and her tumultuous relationship with Greece and Rome, are explored in Chapters 17 – 22 of Phoenician Secrets: Exploring the Ancient Mediterranean.
Dido (Elissa) and Aeneas by Pierre-Narcisse Guérin c. 1815
© 2006-2012 Sanford Holst |
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