Poseidon is the ancient Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, and one of the twelve Olympian deities who ruled from Mount Olympus. In Greek mythology, he is a powerful and moody figure whose domain covered the oceans, whose anger could shake the earth, and whose contests with other gods often shaped the landscape and cities of the ancient world.
Origins and Family
Poseidon was the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, making him a brother to Zeus, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. According to Hesiod’s Theogony, Cronus swallowed each of his children at birth to prevent them from overthrowing him, and Poseidon was later freed when Zeus forced Cronus to disgorge his siblings. After the Olympians defeated the Titans in the Titanomachy, the three brothers drew lots to divide the cosmos: Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea. The earth and Mount Olympus remained common ground, which is why Poseidon could appear among the other gods.
His consorts and offspring are numerous. With the Nereid Amphitrite, he fathered Triton, a merman who blew a conch shell to calm or stir the waves. He also had children with mortal women and other goddesses, including the hero Theseus (with Aethra) and the cyclops Polyphemus (with the nymph Thoosa). The poet Homer in the Odyssey portrays Polyphemus as Poseidon’s son, and the god’s vengeful pursuit of Odysseus stems from the hero blinding the cyclops.
Role and Symbols
Poseidon’s primary domain was the sea, and sailors prayed to him for safe voyages and calm waters. He was also called the “Earth-Shaker” (Ennosigaios or Enosichthon), because he could cause earthquakes by striking the ground with his trident. That three-pronged spear is his most recognizable attribute, along with horses and bulls, which were often sacrificed in his honor. His Roman equivalent is Neptune, who was later associated with the sea but originally was a freshwater god.
In art, Poseidon is usually depicted as a mature, bearded man holding a trident, sometimes riding a chariot pulled by horses or sea creatures. The bronze statue of Poseidon (or Zeus) from Cape Artemision, dating to around 460 BCE, shows him in a dynamic throwing pose, though scholars debate which god it represents because both hurled weapons.
Myths and Legends
Several well-known myths center on Poseidon’s temper, ambition, and contests with other gods.
- The Contest for Athens: Poseidon and Athena competed to be the patron deity of the city of Athens. Poseidon struck the Acropolis with his trident and produced a saltwater spring (or a horse, in some versions), while Athena offered an olive tree. The Athenians chose Athena’s gift, and Poseidon, angered, flooded the plain of Attica. The saltwater well was still shown to visitors in later antiquity.
- The Odyssey: Poseidon is the main antagonist of Odysseus. After Odysseus blinds Polyphemus, Poseidon relentlessly pursues him, destroying his raft and delaying his return to Ithaca for ten years. Only after Odysseus reaches shore does Poseidon relent, having vented his anger.
- The Trojan War: Poseidon favored the Greeks during the Trojan War, but he also held a grudge against them for the impiety of King Laomedon of Troy, who refused to pay Poseidon and Apollo for building the city’s walls. This resentment influenced his actions in Homer’s Iliad.
- The Creation of Horses: One myth says Poseidon created the first horse, either by striking the ground with his trident or by mating with the Gorgon Medusa. From Medusa’s blood, the winged horse Pegasus was born, and Poseidon is sometimes called the father of Pegasus, though other sources credit him as the father of the horse itself.
Worship and Cult
Poseidon was widely worshipped across the Greek world, especially in coastal cities and on islands. The Isthmian Games, held near Corinth, were dedicated to him and included athletic and equestrian competitions. Sailors and fishermen made offerings to him before voyages, and horses were sometimes sacrificed by being thrown into the sea. The sanctuary at Cape Sounion, with its temple overlooking the Aegean, was one of his major cult sites. In some regions, such as the Peloponnese, he was also revered as a god of fresh water and vegetation, showing that his influence extended beyond the salt sea.
Comparisons with Other Gods
Poseidon is often compared with his brother Zeus, but their domains and temperaments differ. Zeus rules the sky and is the supreme authority, while Poseidon rules the sea and is more unpredictable. Both are powerful and prone to anger, but Poseidon’s wrath is more localized, often affecting sailors and coastal communities. In Roman mythology, Neptune was less prominent but later absorbed many of Poseidon’s myths and attributes. In modern popular culture, Poseidon appears in films like Clash of the Titans and Percy Jackson series, where he is portrayed as a powerful but sometimes sympathetic deity.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that Poseidon was the “god of the ocean” in the sense of a single, all-powerful ruler of all waters. In Greek myth, the sea was divided among various sea deities, including Nereus, Oceanus, and Triton, and Poseidon was the most powerful but not the only one. Another error is that Poseidon created horses from sea foam; that is actually the birth of Aphrodite. The horse creation myth involves his trident striking the earth, not foam. Also, while Poseidon is often called a “god of the sea,” he was equally a god of earthquakes, a role that is sometimes overlooked but central to his character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Poseidon’s parents?
Poseidon’s parents are the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Cronus swallowed him at birth, and he was later freed by his brother Zeus.
What is Poseidon’s weapon?
Poseidon’s weapon is the trident, a three-pronged spear. He used it to strike the earth and create springs, to cause earthquakes, and to control the seas.
Did Poseidon have any children with mortals?
Yes, Poseidon fathered many mortal children, including the hero Theseus and the cyclops Polyphemus. He also had children with goddesses and nymphs, such as Triton with Amphitrite.
Why did Poseidon and Athena compete for Athens?
The contest happened because both gods wanted to be the patron of the city. Athena’s gift of the olive tree was deemed more useful than Poseidon’s saltwater spring, so she won. Poseidon’s angry response was to flood the surrounding plain.
Is Poseidon the same as Neptune?
Neptune is the Roman equivalent of Poseidon, but the two were not identical. Neptune was originally a god of fresh water, and his myths and worship were later influenced by Greek traditions about Poseidon.
Related
- Hera Mythology: Myths, Powers & Family
- Zeus Mythology Facts: Origins, Powers, and Stories
- Hera Domain in Greek Mythology Explained
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