The prophetess Cassandra (kuh-san-drah), also known as Alexandra, was a Trojan princess. The daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, she was also reknowned as the second most beautiful woman in the world at the time, Helen being the foremost. She made many correct prophecies, such as the downfall of Troy because of Paris' abduction of Helen, but she was never believed and her visions were disregarded and ignored.
"Where are you going? You will bring conflagration back with you. How great the flames are that you are seeking over these waters, you do not know." (Cassandra to Paris. Ovid, Heroides 16,120)
There are two versions to how she recieved her prophetic powers. In the first, she was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo after agreeing to lie with him. She then later rejected his lustful advances so he added a curse, making it so her prophecies would never be believed. The second version states that as small children, Cassandra and her twin brother Helenus fell asleep in the temple of Apollo after a feast in honor of their birthdays. When Hecuba came looking for them, she found temple serpents (considered sacred to Apollo and symbols of prophecy and wisdom) on them that were biting their 'organs of sense', meaning the brain. Helenus was later mentioned to possess the same gift of prophecy as Cassandra, even backing her prophecies with his own, but he did not have the curse she did. Shortly after her fiancee, Coroebus, was killed while defending her during the ill-fated battle after the Trojan horse incident, she sought refuge from the Greeks in the temple of Athena, but was captured when she was found clinging to the statue of Athena by the Locrian named Ajax and dragged out by the hair. It is said she was also raped by him, and that the statue of Athena gave a loud noise that shook the temple floor because Ajax had violated the sanctity of the temple. His descendants were punished for 1000 years after this incident to repay his great sin. Later, Cassandra was claimed as a prize of war by Agamemnon, and became his slave and concubine. He sailed home with her to Mycenae, where his lawful wife Clytemnestra lay in wait with her secret lover Aegisthus. When they were welcomed home, Cassandra hesitated outside, where she uttered these words:
"... for me waits destruction by the two-edged sword." Cassandra. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1149
Shortly after, Agamemnon was murdered by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, and Cassandra and the twin sons she supposedly bore to him were slain as well.
The name Cassandra came from the Greek Êáóóáíäñá (Kassandra), which meant "shining upon man", derived from êåêáóìáé (kekasmai) "to shine" and áíçñ (aner) "man". Other, more modern meanings have been assigned to the name, often negative and misguided. Those incorrect assumptions include 'Prophetess of Doom', 'Unbelieveable Truth', 'Deciever of Men', and many others. To call someone a Cassandra means their words, however correct the might be, are being ignored or overlooked, often to the detriment of those not paying heed.
"Where are you going? You will bring conflagration back with you. How great the flames are that you are seeking over these waters, you do not know." (Cassandra to Paris. Ovid, Heroides 16,120)
There are two versions to how she recieved her prophetic powers. In the first, she was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo after agreeing to lie with him. She then later rejected his lustful advances so he added a curse, making it so her prophecies would never be believed. The second version states that as small children, Cassandra and her twin brother Helenus fell asleep in the temple of Apollo after a feast in honor of their birthdays. When Hecuba came looking for them, she found temple serpents (considered sacred to Apollo and symbols of prophecy and wisdom) on them that were biting their 'organs of sense', meaning the brain. Helenus was later mentioned to possess the same gift of prophecy as Cassandra, even backing her prophecies with his own, but he did not have the curse she did. Shortly after her fiancee, Coroebus, was killed while defending her during the ill-fated battle after the Trojan horse incident, she sought refuge from the Greeks in the temple of Athena, but was captured when she was found clinging to the statue of Athena by the Locrian named Ajax and dragged out by the hair. It is said she was also raped by him, and that the statue of Athena gave a loud noise that shook the temple floor because Ajax had violated the sanctity of the temple. His descendants were punished for 1000 years after this incident to repay his great sin. Later, Cassandra was claimed as a prize of war by Agamemnon, and became his slave and concubine. He sailed home with her to Mycenae, where his lawful wife Clytemnestra lay in wait with her secret lover Aegisthus. When they were welcomed home, Cassandra hesitated outside, where she uttered these words:
"... for me waits destruction by the two-edged sword." Cassandra. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1149
Shortly after, Agamemnon was murdered by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, and Cassandra and the twin sons she supposedly bore to him were slain as well.
The name Cassandra came from the Greek Êáóóáíäñá (Kassandra), which meant "shining upon man", derived from êåêáóìáé (kekasmai) "to shine" and áíçñ (aner) "man". Other, more modern meanings have been assigned to the name, often negative and misguided. Those incorrect assumptions include 'Prophetess of Doom', 'Unbelieveable Truth', 'Deciever of Men', and many others. To call someone a Cassandra means their words, however correct the might be, are being ignored or overlooked, often to the detriment of those not paying heed.
She said that would happen? She's such a Cassandra.
She always said the war was wrong, too bad she's being treated like Cassandra.
She always said the war was wrong, too bad she's being treated like Cassandra.
by Casandra N. September 19, 2008
Get the Cassandra mug.Casanova + No Game = Casanogame.
When a someone tries to be a Casanova *romantic* and fails horribly, they have then proven that they have No Game.
When a someone tries to be a Casanova *romantic* and fails horribly, they have then proven that they have No Game.
This guy came up to me at the bar *nice smile* made eye contact, started to open his mouth to talk - nothing - and walked away.
When I first seen his smile, I thought 'here comes a Casanova,' until he couldn't find a single thing to say.
Now, he'll forever be that Casanogame guy to me.
When I first seen his smile, I thought 'here comes a Casanova,' until he couldn't find a single thing to say.
Now, he'll forever be that Casanogame guy to me.
by Buck Neeley June 22, 2011
Get the Casanogame mug.Casana is a fairly uncommon name that goes with girls of the highest caliber. They have it all, looks, good attitude, smarts and they are extremely sexy. Girls named Casana are tender and nice too. They are very independent, tend to be free spirited and love the outdoors. If you happen to be lucky enough to land a Casana, you will find they go out of their way to make you feel happy. They know exactly what to say (or do) to make you feel better no matter what problem you have. Girls named Casana tend to be a "morning person" and they know how to start a day off right. They love adventure and love trying new things. If you know a Casana, you better get to know her, if you know what I mean.
That girl is SUPER awesome!! I bet she is a Casana.
You met a Casana, better not let her go!
Goddess, Casana, what's the difference.
You met a Casana, better not let her go!
Goddess, Casana, what's the difference.
by thorodine October 17, 2012
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Get the Castaneda effect mug.by peppa pig <3 October 13, 2021
Get the cassandra <3 mug.The kind of boy you'll meet in the seventh grade. You don't really notice him much at first, but you slowly get closer to him through similar interests and his other friends. This boy can recollect every meme and is so intelligent that his big brain power makes you feel stupid. He's very sweet and only wants to make everyone laugh and smile. He's tall and cute too ;) He deeply cares about you and wishes you a goodnight everyday. Any text from him instantly makes your whole day better. Also, can I add that he does the best impressions?
You'll find yourself falling for this boy without realizing it <3
You'll find yourself falling for this boy without realizing it <3
by Osophine September 13, 2019
Get the Casen mug.loosely translates to "triumphant queen of everything" in Swahili, Arabic, Sumerian, Persian, etc etc. When chosen as a name for a girl, it always accurately describes the person, who is most likely beautiful, smart, and amazing. The woman for which she is named was a prophetess, so all Cassandra's can foresee the future (she was also awesomely beautiful, thus all Cassandra's are gorgeous)
by i know ya hear October 5, 2010
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