CASSANDRA

in Greek mythology, the daughter of Priam, the last king of Troy, and his wife Hecuba. Cassandra was loved by the god Apollo, who promised her the power of prophecy if she would comply with his desires. Cassandra accepted the proposal, received the gift, and then refused the god her favours. Apollo revenged himself by ordaining that her prophecies should never be believed. She accurately predicted such events as the fall of Troy and the death of Agamemnon, but her warnings went unheeded. In the distribution of the spoils after the capture of Troy, Cassandra fell to Agamemnon and was later murdered with him. She was worshiped, as Alexandra, with Apollo. See also Agamemnon. a daughter of Priam and a prophetess in Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida. Cassandra can see the future but is cursed by Apollo, so that no one will believe her prophecies. She foresees the fall of Troy and the death of Hector.