Anna, Exiled, Becomes a Water Nymph

Anna, an old woman who was a goddess, was the sister of the Queen Dido.

After Dido killed herself, the kingdom of Carthage was invaded by, Africans led by Iarbas, and Anna was forced to flee. During her flight from an island off the African coast, she was caught in a storm, and landed on the shores of Latium, where Aeneas was ruler. He found her as he walked along the sea, recognized her, mourned Dido's death, and brought Anna to his palace. This displeased Aeneas' wife, Lavinia, and she set traps for Anna. Warned of this in a dream, Anna fled. While she was wandering, she met the god of a stream who carried her off to his bed. Aeneas' servants searched for Anna, following her tracks to the riverbank. There they saw a shape rise from the water: Anna, the exile, had become a water nymph; her new name, Perenna, signified eternity. See also: Dido.