View source for Helenus (son of Priam)

=== Early years ===
In the earliest sources, Helenus and his sister Cassandra were given the power of prophecy by [[Apollo]] after their ears were licked by snakes.<ref>D-scholia on Homeric scholarship</ref> In other sources, Helenus was taught the power by Cassandra, but others generally believed his predictions. After gaining foresight, he was renamed from Scamandrius to Helenus by a Thracian soothsayer.<ref>Eustathius, Commentary on the Iliad</ref> Helenus predicted that if [[Paris (mythology)|Alexander]] (''Paris'') brought home a Greek wife (i.e. [[Helen of Troy|Helen]]), the Achaeans would pursue, and overpower Troy and slay his parents and brothers.<ref>Dares Phrygius, 7</ref>