#carthage

—- trying to nail down my Troile designs

Mixing Phoenician attire with Greek and Egyptian, mostly due to how hard it is to nail down Phoenician references. Similarly, balancing historical accuracy with vampire cuntiness (very academic term). Troile fluctuates a lot between these three, but generally keeps the same face and body structure (ie, as a man, he doesn’t get super super buff, and as a woman doesn’t get super super slim).

The Sumerian/akkadian titles are still debated, as some are thought to mean broadly nonbinary, however I used them there with the interpretation of Kurgara being equated to transfemme, Gala being enby, and Pili being transmasc. Troile isn’t Sumerian, so none of them are accurate regardless, but they are what Sumur (an OC hi if this reaches beyond my followers) calls them as that would be his understanding of transness. Moloch, imo, doesn’t call them specific things depending on form, as Moloch probably views it more fluidity (Fem Troile isn’t Fem Troile she’s Just Troile, you see?), not to say either treatment is worse/better.

Due to how rich Carthage is (was :c), Troile mostly wears flowing fabric and gold, as it’s more comfortable and they don’t need to be active enough to merit more fitted/working clothes. The male version does not have the fitted shirt style most Phoenicians wear because of this AND because I simply find the T-shirt cut in ancient clothing ugly (sorry Romans).

This is a rough sketch so I don’t have many details to go into, but the snake diadem for enby Troile is intentionally referring to snakes as transformative figures/spirits, which feels fitting for a trans character :)

(I’m aware some people view Troile as just male or just female, due to the lore being inconsistent, and that’s totally fine, I just view them as genderfluid, hence the designs.)

Gold and agate ring, Carthage, 700-500 BC

Glass face beads - Phoenician/ Carthaginian

Mythic Queen Dido Founds Carthage

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.