Cassandra: Difference between revisions

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'''Cassandra''', in Greek mythology, was one of the daughters of King [[Priam]] of [[Troy]] and his wife Hecuba.  The god [[Apollo]] granted her the gift of prophecy in return for a promise that she would lie with him.  When she went back on her promise, he could not withdraw his gift, but in kissing her, spat into her mouth, with the effect that no-one believed her prophecies, though these were invariably true.  She survived the sack of Troy. Some versions of the legend say that [[Ajax the Lesser]] raped her in the temple of [[Athena]], others that Odysseus falsely accused him of the rape to please [[Agamemnon]], who wanted her for himself. Agamemnon took possession of her and had two children by her.  When he returned home, Clytemnestra not only killed Agamemnon, but also Cassandra. Once again her prophecy of evil had not been believed.
[[Image:Correggio Leda.jpg|thumb|right|340px|alt=Photo of a painting with women.|Greek [[mythology]] has numerous characters besides the unfortunate Cassandra, who was raped in the temple of [[Athena]] in an outrageous act. Greek mythology is populated with [[Greek god|gods and goddesses]], [[human|humans]], creatures, hybrids, mystical forces and such. These stories have been a vital part of [[Western civilization]] and have been source material for [[Renaissance]] [[painting|painters]] such as [[Antonio da Correggio|Correggio]]. Pictured: [[Leda]] and the Swan.<small>Painting circa 1532.</small>]]

Revision as of 15:36, 16 March 2014

Cassandra, in Greek mythology, was one of the daughters of King Priam of Troy and his wife Hecuba. The god Apollo granted her the gift of prophecy in return for a promise that she would lie with him. When she went back on her promise, he could not withdraw his gift, but in kissing her, spat into her mouth, with the effect that no-one believed her prophecies, though these were invariably true. She survived the sack of Troy. Some versions of the legend say that Ajax the Lesser raped her in the temple of Athena, others that Odysseus falsely accused him of the rape to please Agamemnon, who wanted her for himself. Agamemnon took possession of her and had two children by her. When he returned home, Clytemnestra not only killed Agamemnon, but also Cassandra. Once again her prophecy of evil had not been believed.