#apollon

Kassandra ist in der griechischen Mythologie die Tochter des trojanischen Königs Priamos und der Hekabe, damit Schwester von Hektor, Polyxena, Paris und Troilos sowie Zwillingsschwester des Helenos. Der Gott Apollon gab ihr wegen ihrer Schönheit die Gabe der Weissagung. Als sie jedoch seine Verführungsversuche zurückwies, verfluchte er sie, auf dass niemand ihren Weissagungen Glauben schenken…

By marrying Hermione, Neoptolemus would become next in line to the throne of Sparta, aka Apollo's patron city. And I doubt that Apollo would want a man whose family, including himself, repeatedly crossed him and killed those he favored (Troilus, Hector, and Astyanax), be ruling his city.

Not too mention, one tradition had Neoptolemus denounce Apollo at Delphi, meaning he could be a threat to his patronage, so killing him would satisfy a long history of grievances.

And while Orestes isn't Apollo's ideal choice, considering who his father is, compared to Neoptolemus, he's someone Apollo can work with. Not only will he continue his worship, but Apollo would have someone who obeys his commands on the throne of his patron city.

The snake could be relaxed, its head resting near Orestes' cheek while Orestes remains completely calm. He trusts Apollo. He doesn't perceive the danger because, from his perspective, this is the god who has protected him through everything.

Apollo burdened Orestes when he commanded him to kill his mother, but he never abandoned him. He defended Orestes from the Furies in Athens and remained with him every step of the way.

From Orestes' perspective, Apollo had proven himself to be a trustworthy ally, even when his commands were difficult.

So when Apollo eventually commands him to kill Neoptolemus, Orestes doesn't give it a second thought. He has trusted this god before, and Apollo has never led him astray.

Of course, Orestes has his own reasons. Neoptolemus married Hermione, to whom Orestes had previously been engaged, so he'd have little reason to object to Apollo's command.

But interestingly enough, it doesn't have to stop with Orestes.

Neoptolemus killed Astyanax and used his body to kill Priam before Zeus' altar. In traditions where Apollo is Hector's father, that gives Apollo an especially personal reason to want Neoptolemus dead.

So Apollo doesn't even have to convince Orestes to hate the man he's targeting. He only has to point him toward someone he already resents.

And after everything Apollo has done for him, why would Orestes ever question him?