CASSANDRA  , in

Greek legend, daughter of Priam and Hecuba . She was beloved of Apollo, who promised to bestow on her the spirit of prophecy if she would comply with his desires . Cassandra accepted the proposal; but no sooner had she obtained the gift than she laughed at the tempter, and refused to fulfil her promise . Apollo revenged himself by ordaining that her predictions should be discredited (Apollodorus iii . 12 . 5) ; and hence it was in vain that on the arrival of Helen she prophesied the ruin of Troy . On the capture of that city she was ravished by Ajax, the son of Ozleus, in the temple of Minerva (Strabo vi. p . 264) . In the distribution of the booty, Cassandra fell to the lot of Agamemnon; but again her foresight was useless, for he would not believe her prediction that he should perish in his own country . The prophecy was fulfilled, for both were slain through the intrigues of Clytaemnestra (Odyssey, xi . 421 ff.) . It is to be noticed that there is no mention in Homer of her prophetic gifts .

Together with Apollo, she was worshipped under the name of Alexandra .