Member-only story

Cassandra: Unveiling the Enigmatic Delphic Oracle

Aubrey Blair

·9.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Cassandra (Delphic Women 2)

4 min read

174 View Claps

42 Respond

Save

Listen

Origins and Early Life

Cassandra was a princess of Troy, the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. According to legend, she was endowed with the gift of prophecy by the god Apollo. However, when she refused his advances, Apollo cursed her so that her prophecies would never be believed. This curse would ultimately play a pivotal role in her tragic destiny.

Cassandra (Delphic Women Series Book 2)

by Kerry Greenwood

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1036 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	631 pages

Prophecies

Cassandra's prophecies were renowned for their accuracy and clarity, but they were often met with disbelief and scorn. She foresaw the Trojan War and warned her family of its disastrous consequences, but her words were dismissed as ravings of a madwoman.

She also predicted the death of her brother Hector, the greatest warrior of Troy. When Hector ignored her pleas to stay within the city walls, she knew that his fate was sealed. In a heart-wrenching scene, she witnessed his death at the hands of Achilles.

The Trojan War

During the Trojan War, Cassandra was a constant source of anguish and despair for her people. She saw the futility of their struggle and the inevitable destruction of Troy. She warned against bringing the Trojan Horse into the city, but her advice was again ignored.

As the city fell, Cassandra sought refuge in the temple of Athena. However, she was dragged away by the Greek warrior Ajax and brutally raped. This act further sealed her fate and became a symbol of the horrors of war.

Tragic Fate

Cassandra's prophecies and her tragic end have been the subject of countless works of art, literature, and opera. She is often depicted as a symbol of the futility of resistance against fate and the devastating consequences of unheeded warnings.

The exact circumstances of Cassandra's death vary depending on the source. Some accounts suggest that she was killed by Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek army, as vengeance for his slain brother. Others claim that she was stoned to death by her own people for her unpopular prophecies.

Legacy

Cassandra's legacy as a prophetess and a tragic figure has endured for centuries. She represents the power of foresight and the pain of unrequited knowledge. Her story has been used as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring warnings and the destructive nature of war.

In modern culture, Cassandra has become synonymous with individuals who possess unpopular or inconvenient truths. Her name has been used to describe whistleblowers, activists, and those who speak out against injustice.

Cassandra, the Delphic oracle, remains an enigmatic and fascinating figure in Greek mythology. Her prophecies, her tragic fate, and her enduring legacy have captured the imagination of countless generations. Through her story, we are reminded of the power of prophecy, the importance of listening to warnings, and the devastating consequences of ignoring the truth.

Cassandra (Delphic Women Series Book 2)

by Kerry Greenwood

4.5 out of 5