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CASSANDRA

Volume 5 · 138 words · 1815 Edition

in fabulous history, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, was beloved of Apollo, who promised to bestow on her the spirit of prophecy, pre- Cassandra would consent to his love. Cassandra seemed to accept the proposal; but had no sooner obtained that gift, than she laughed at the temper, and broke her word. Apollo, being enraged, revenged himself by causing no credit to be given to her predictions, hence in vain prophesied the ruin of Troy. Ajax, the son of Oileus, having ravished her in the temple of Minerva, he was struck with thunder. She fell into the hands of Agamemnon, who loved her to distraction; but in vain did she predict that he would be assassinated in his own country. He was killed, with her, by the intrigues of Clytemnestra; but their death was avenged by Orestes.