CASSANDRA, also called ALEXANDRA, daughter of Priam and Hecuba, and twin-sis ter of Helenus. Both children, according to tradition, were playing in the vestibule of the temple of the Tfiymbrman Apollo, not far from Ilium; and having stayed there too late to be carried home, a couch of laurel twigs was pre pared for them in the temple. When the nurses went to them the next morning they found two serpents at the side of the children, which, in stead of injuring them, harmlessly licked their ears. This miracle produced a still greater one: the hearing of the children was rendered so acute that they could distinguish the voices of the gods. Cassandra subsequently spent much of her time in the temple of Apollo, who, becoming enamored of her charms, disclosed to her all the secrets of the prophetic art, and in return demanded her love. But Cassandra, when her curiosity was satisfied, refused the dishonorable reward. Apollo, incensed at this, solemnly decreed that her prophecies should never find belief. She frequently and contin
ually foretold the destruction of Troy, and warned her countrymen in vain against the de ceitful horse. When Troy was conquered, and Cassandra, with the other maidens, fled to the temple of Minerva, Ajax, son of Oileus, tore her from the altar, deflowered the virgin in the sacred place, and dragged her away to the other female slaves, with her hands tied. On the division of the booty she fell to Agamemnon, who carried her as his slave and mistress to Mycenx. Clytzmnestra murdered. them both. Agamemnon had' twins by her —Teledamus and Pelops, who were put to death by dEgis thus. The ancients regarded this rape of Cas sandra as a most infamous atrocity. It has often afforded a subject to poets and sculptors. The Locrians, the countrymen of Ajax, were afflicted on this account for many years with storms, and their country was desolated with the plague. .iEschylus tells her story in the (Agamemnon.'