I have been reading Roman epics from Ennius onwards. I am trying to come up with a working definition of ‘epic heroine’ as I am aware that the presentation of female characters changes as Roman epic begins to distinguish itself from Greek. Women are more active and less accepting of traditional female roles. Some appear more like those from tragedy or elegy. Moreover, like the hero, the heroine has strengths and weaknesses, and she plays an integral part in the texts but cannot simply be equated with a positive role model. Is the term ‘epic heroine’ a bit of a misnomer? I have chosen to compare Ariadne in Cat 64 and Dido in Aeneid Bks 1, 4, and 6 in an assignment about characterisation and I need to define the terms I am using. I am finding it difficult to produce a definition for the epic heroine in Latin literature that is neither too narrow or too broad.