The story of the heroine Cassandra is a favorite in Greek
mythology. Cassandra makes an appearance in many plays and
poems, where often she is depicted in her most memorable role -
that of prophetess. So let us explore this compelling Greek
heroine, and learn about Cassandra in myth and legend.
Cassandra is mentioned briefly in the Iliad of
Homer
(which, incidentally, is one of our oldest and most respected
sources for information about the characters of Greek myth).
Indeed, in the Iliad, we learn that Cassandra was the
child of King Priam of Troy, and she was considered to be
Priam's most beautiful daughter. However, no mention of
Cassandra's notorious prophetic power is made in this Homeric
epic.
We first find the tale of Cassandra and her legendary gifts
in other works of ancient Greek literature. According to one
version of the story, Cassandra received the power to foretell
the future from the god
Apollo.
Apparently, Apollo instructed the mortal woman and taught her
about the art of prophecy because he had an ulterior motive -
the god wished to win her affections. Cassandra accepted Apollo
as a teacher, but not as a lover. Naturally, the god was
insulted by this refusal. So he punished Cassandra. Apollo
caused the gift that he gave Cassandra to be twisted, making
everyone who heard her true and accurate foretellings of future
events believe that they were instead hearing lies. In other
words, the wondrous blessing bestowed upon a mortal became
instead a terrible curse.
And indeed, the burden of Cassandra's "gift" is evident in
mythology. She predicted the outcome of many disastrous events.
In one memorable example, Cassandra announced the dire
consequences of the Trojans accepting the infamous Wooden Horse
from their Greek opponents. But as Apollo made certain, no one
believed Cassandra when she warned her companions about the
future. And this, in the end, was to be Cassandra's tragic fate.