A Night With… Cassandra: Exploring the Myth and Its Echoes

Join us for the first session of our new discussion series “A Night With…”, where we dive into timeless myths and their universal messages.
This evening is dedicated to Cassandra, the tragic figure from Greek mythology whose gift of prophecy was cursed never to be believed.
What to expect:

• I will open the meetup with a short introduction to Cassandra’s myth and share a few possible interpretations and connections.
• After that, the floor is yours! Bring your thoughts, reflections, and any links you see between this myth and other domains, e.g. literature, art, philosophy, psychology, history or even your own creative work.
• If you’re an artist and your work resonates with Cassandra’s story, feel free to share it with the group.

Before the event:
Take 5 minutes to read the quick snippet of Cassandra’s myth (provided below👇🏽) and think of:

• A book, artwork, or personal reflection that relates to her story.
• Any modern parallels or insights you’d like to discuss.

This is a space for open dialogue, creativity, and shared exploration.

### 🫧Cassandra’s Myth in Brief

Cassandra, daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, was granted the gift of prophecy by Apollo. When she refused his romantic advances, Apollo cursed her so that her true predictions would never be believed. She foresaw the fall of Troy and warned her people, but her words were ignored.
During the sack of Troy, Cassandra sought refuge at Athena’s altar but was brutally violated by Ajax the Lesser, an act that angered the gods and sealed Ajax’s doom. Taken as a war prize by Agamemnon, Cassandra was brought to Mycenae, where she met her final fate: murdered alongside Agamemnon by his wife, Clytemnestra, in a web of vengeance and tragedy.

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### 🕵🏽‍♀️Main Sources in Greek-Roman Literature

• Homer, Iliad – Mentions Cassandra as Priam’s daughter and prophetess (Book 24).
• Aeschylus, Agamemnon – Depicts Cassandra’s arrival in Mycenae and her prophetic lament before death.
• Euripides, Trojan Women – Focuses on Cassandra’s fate after Troy’s fall and her prophetic madness.
• Euripides, Andromache – Brief references to her tragic destiny.
• Apollodorus, Library – Summarizes her gift, curse, and death.
• Virgil, Aeneid (Roman source) – Mentions Cassandra’s ignored warnings about the Trojan Horse.