Stereotypes flood the world. Whether you think that all people in Texas ride horses to work, or that all English people drink tea, they infiltrate many aspects of a person's life on a daily basis. Stereotypes are nothing new, as seen in the case of the problem of slavery in America during the 19th century. However, conventions like these date back even further. They are a fundamental part of human existence. As such, they appear in the literature of all periods, including that of ancient Rome. During the time Virgil was writing, the female character typically fit a stereotype. Virgil, however, went against these trends and created a strong female character, Dido. Dido is eventually forced into a more stereotypically feminine role by the gods in an attempt to thwart Achilles, but her true nature is the exact opposite of a traditional ancient Roman female character. Dido, for some, was portrayed as a lovesick girl who falls too easily for a man. This would be an often followed formula for a female character in ancient Rome. Consumed by love, she makes rash decisions and ends up paying a heavy price for her madness caused by the blindness of love. At first glance, Dido fits perfectly into these parameters. Closer examination yields a different result. Looking at her life before Aeneas arrived and brought with him an Olympian feud, she was doing just fine without a man by her side. She had “[planned] her escape alone,” including those who followed her, and led them to safety (Book One, Line 438). After doing so, he educated them and helped them build a huge city, which would eventually become one of the most important cities of the ancient world. He led them well without the help of a man... middle of paper... of his destiny to found Rome. Dido is not simply this hysterical, clingy girl who overreacts to breaking up with her boyfriend, but is forced into that hysterical love by the gods. Dido's role in the Aeneid is somewhat complicated. At first glance, she appears to simply be a stereotypical woman, serving as a potential spoiler for Aeneas completing his journey. A deeper look reveals the truth: she serves as an example of the power the gods wield over humanity, and is actually a strong, independent woman leading a successful city. Virgil somehow deceives his reader into believing that her role is what they expect, while at the same time demonstrating that a female character can indeed fill an important role in an epic novel. It's as if she provides a small cloaked example of a powerful, strong-willed female character for posterity to look at and expand on..