The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002.
Aeneas
(i-NEE-uhs) A famous warrior of classical mythology; a leader in the Trojan War on the Trojan side. After the fall of Troy, Aeneas fled with his father and son and was shipwrecked at Carthage in northern Africa. There Dido, the queen of Carthage, fell in love with him and ultimately committed suicide when she realized that Aeneas could not stay with her forever. After many trials, Aeneas arrived in what is now Italy. The ancient Romans believed that they were descended from the followers of Aeneas.