Semiramis

Semiramis was a legendary Assyrian Queen, famed for her beauty, strength, wisdom, and alluring power. Abandoned by her mother the fish-goddess Atargatis, she was miraculously preserved by doves, who nourished her until she was found by Simmas, the royal shepherd. She later married Onnes, one of the generals of Ninus. At the battle of Bactra, Ninus was so filled with admiration for the courage and skill Semiramis displayed, he resolved to have her as his wife and queen. He offered to give Onnes his own daughter Sosana in exchange for Semiramis but Onnes refused. Ninus then threatened to destroy Onnes by gouging his eyes out, whereupon in fear, despair and agony, he surrendered to his kings demand and commited suicide. Ninus then took Semiramis as his queen, and they produced a son, Ninyas. After the death of Ninus, she succeeded to the throne as Queen. According to the legends, Semiramis reigned for forty-two years then abdicated in favor of her son, Ninyas, and vanished. Legends flourished throughout the ages that she took flight towards heaven in the form of a dove.

Semiramis also appears frequently in later literature. She is seen in the first book of La Divina Commedia, Inferno, where Dante finds her among the souls of the lustful in the second circle of Hell. Semiramis also appears in a number of plays and operas, most notably Voltaire's tragedy Semiramis, Domenico Cimarosa's opera Semiramide and Gioacchino Rossini's opera, also called Semiramide.