“There would be no me without you, and thank you for all of your sacrifice and your beauty and your grace. Thank you for opening doors for me." ~ Beyoncé
Queen Dido, a legendary Phoenician ruler, fled Tyre to build a new empire. She founded Carthage around 813 BCE and famously loved the Trojan hero Aeneas. Her tragic story is immortalized in Virgil’s epic poem, the Aeneid.
The Legend of Elissa
Dido’s Flight Known by names like Elissa and Alashiya, Dido escaped Tyre with loyal followers after a political crisis. She sailed west across the Mediterranean, seeking a safe haven for her people.
Founding Carthage She established the mighty city of Carthage on the North African coast. This new city became a dominant power in the Mediterranean, rivaling Rome itself.
Love and Betrayal Dido fell deeply in love with Aeneas, the Trojan prince destined to found Rome. When Aeneas abandoned her to fulfill his destiny, Dido took her own life in despair.
Key Facts
Original Name: Dido (also called Elissa, Alashiya, or Elisha).
Birthplace: Tyre, in ancient Phoenicia.
Major Achievement: Founded the city of Carthage c. 813 BCE.
Primary Lover: Aeneas, founder of the Roman people.
Main Source: Virgil’s Aeneid.
Historical Context
Dido was a real figure from Phoenician history, likely a princess who fled instability in Tyre. Ancient writers like Timaeus and Justin recorded her life before Virgil turned her into a tragic myth. Her story reflects the historical tensions between Phoenicians, Greeks, and emerging Romans.
Historical Significance
Dido symbolizes the founding of Carthage, Rome’s greatest rival in the ancient world. Her tragic end in the Aeneid serves to justify Roman expansion by portraying Carthage’s destruction as a divine necessity. She remains a powerful figure of female agency and betrayal in classical literature.
Please call your representatives: VOTE NO on the FEDERAL BOOK BANNING BILLS HR 2616, HR 8705, and HR 7661!
Transcript below the cut.
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There are currently THREE FEDERAL BOOK BAN BILLS aiming to ban all TRANS BOOKS from U.S. public schools! HR 2616, HR 8705, HR 7661
June 2026 / Maia Kobabe (a trans author, for three years in a row the most challenged author in the U.S.)
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HR 2616 threatens to cut federal funding from public schools if they “teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology,” as defined by an Executive Order signed by Trump in Jan 2025. It would also cut funding from schools unless they require “parental consent before changing a minor's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form.” HR 2616 HAS ALREADY PASSED IN THE HOUSE! Please call your Senators to say NO ON HR 2616!
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HR 8705 threatens to cut federal funding from public schools which teach “discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology,” as defined by two Executive Orders aimed at suppressing “critical race theory” and trans representation. This bill is named after the late far-right activist Charlie Kirk, “The Charlie Act.” HR 8705 has passed out of committee, but has not yet been introduced in the House. Please call your House Reps to say NO ON HR 8705!
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HR 7661 threatens to cut federal funding from public schools which offer material deemed “sexually oriented," treating any LGBTQIA+ identity as sexual content. It specifically forbids “gender dysphoria or transgenderism,” and “lascivious dancing” (drag). This bill, titled “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act,” has 22 co-sponsors and has passed out of committee but has not yet been introduced to the House. Please call your House Reps to say NO ON HR 7661!
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CALL SCRIPTS
“My name is [name] and I’m calling from [city, state, zip code]. I’m asking [Senator] to vote no on HR 2616. I oppose HR 2616 because it would restrict student’s access to books and it would specifically harm trans, nonbinary, and intersex students. Please stand against book bans and protect queer students!”
“My name is [name] and I’m calling from [city, state, zip code]. I’m asking [Rep] to vote no on HR 8705 and HR 7661. I oppose these bills because they would restrict student’s access to books and accurate history, and would especially harm BIPOC, trans, nonbinary, and intersex students. Please stand against book bans and support public education funding!”
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Author Maia Kobabe: If HR 2616, HR 8705, or HR 7661 pass, it would be almost impossible for any public school in the U.S. to offer or teach my books, unless they’re willing to risk their federal funding. Students would be even less likely to learn about trans stories or accurate U.S. history.
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Please call your representatives: VOTE NO on the FEDERAL BOOK BANNING BILLS HR 2616, HR 8705, and HR 7661!
Follow AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS on insta & bluesky for updates on these bills!
insta / patreon / portfolio / etsy / my books / print store / bluesky
"As soon as I discovered that comics were made by people, I wanted to be one of those people, even if I didn't have anywhere near their skill set. And I still don't think I have that skill set. But the language of comics is exciting to me... Comics are a very democratic medium, and you don't need much more than a pencil and paper, as a minimum." —Art Spiegelman speaking to Hyperallergic
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