262. Tunisia: Dido of Carthage

Join Tom and Dominic as they tell the story of the tragic heroine of Virgil’s Aeneid - Dido of Carthage. Listen as they discuss the origins of Carthage, recite top Latin phrases, and are joined by Juliette Pochin for a beautiful rendition of Dido’s Lament.
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[@JP-bb9hu]

the aria was so beautiful for the first time in my life, i got opera.. and on a history podcast thank you!

[@okasa64]

Of course, the sources say Dido was married to the priest of Heracles, but more accurate to say that Dido was married to the priest of Melqart. (Melqart is called the Heracles of Tyre but is not the same).

[@ToothpikcOriginal]

Great episode, I love Dido. Another great woman in history that would be fun to explore is Catherine the Great

[@someone6124]

Whats the instrument in the piece at the end. Havent been that relaxed in a long time. Sounds so calming.

[@nomorephones]

Too short. Loved a one about Phoenician, but unfortunately Lebanon didn't qualify.

[@veganmatry]

Anyone else read the title wrong?

[@okasa64]

To get another perspective on how powerful human sacrifice was thought to have been, there is a biblical story with ties to Tyre that happened in 840 BC, very close to the time Cathage was supposedly founded. 2 Kings 3-27 tells the story of King Joram of Israel attacking King Mesha of Moab, because Mesha had stopped paying tribute to Israel after the death of King Joram's father, King Ahab. (Joram's mother was Jezebel, so King Joram has Tyrian royal blood in him). Aided by Yahweh, the combined might of Israel, Judah, and Edom attacked the capital city of Moab. Things were going the well for the allies until King Mesha sacrificed his son on the walls of the city to the Moabite god Chemosh. That act was strong enough to turn back the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom. We also have the account of the battle from Mesha himself from the Mesha stele... which tells a different version, but in the end Mesha won the battle according to both sources.

[@daviddiaz529]

Dido/Elissa=Nymeria, Rhoynish warrior-queen?