262: Tunisia: Dido of Carthage

The podcast delves into the legend of Dido, the founder of Carthage, exploring her portrayal in Virgil's Aeneid and contrasting it with earlier traditions. It examines how Virgil's version, written during Augustus's reign, may have been influenced by the political climate and the figure of Cleopatra. The discussion covers alternative accounts of Dido's story, highlighting her role as a chaste woman who immolates herself to avoid marriage to a Berber king, preserving Carthaginian identity. The hosts also consider the archaeological evidence supporting Carthaginian customs, such as child sacrifice, and how these traditions might have shaped the Dido myth.