Poseidon myths center on the Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, a powerful and violent Olympian second only to Zeus in influence. His stories span creation, divine conflict, heroic patronage, and the founding of cities, making him one of the most complex figures in Greek mythology.
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 a prophecy that one would overthrow him. Zeus escaped this fate, forced Cronus to regurgitate his siblings, and the six young gods then waged the Titanomachy—a ten-year war against the Titans—with Poseidon fighting alongside his brothers.
After their victory, the three brothers drew lots to divide the cosmos: Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea. This division is described in Homer’s Iliad (Book 15), where Poseidon himself recounts the agreement. Despite ruling the sea, Poseidon also claimed dominion over earthquakes (earning the title Ennosigaios, “Earth-shaker”) and was closely linked to horses, a connection explained in several myths.
Key Myths and Episodes
Poseidon appears in many prominent myths, often as a disruptive or vengeful force. Among the most famous:
- 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, producing a saltwater spring (or a horse, in some versions), while Athena offered the first olive tree. The Athenians chose Athena’s gift, and Poseidon, enraged, flooded the plain of Attica—a myth that explained both the city’s name and its rocky, salty soil.
- The Odyssey: In Homer’s epic, Poseidon is the primary antagonist of Odysseus. He relentlessly pursues the hero because Odysseus blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. His anger delays Odysseus’s return to Ithaca for ten years, driving his ship off course and destroying his raft.
- The Trojan War: Poseidon supported the Greeks during the Trojan War, but he also harbored a grudge against them because the Trojan king Laomedon refused to pay him and Apollo for building the city’s walls. In the Iliad, he actively aids the Greek forces, even defying Zeus’s ban on divine intervention.
- The creation of the horse: One tradition, found in Pindar’s Olympian Odes, says Poseidon created the first horse when he pursued Demeter, who had taken the form of a mare to avoid him. He transformed into a stallion and mated with her, producing the immortal horse Arion. Another version, from the Iliad, credits Poseidon with creating the horse as a gift to humanity.
- The punishment of Cassiopeia: When Queen Cassiopeia boasted that her daughter Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids (sea nymphs), Poseidon sent a sea monster to ravage the kingdom of Aethiopia. To appease him, the king offered Andromeda as a sacrifice, but the hero Perseus rescued her.
Poseidon’s Offspring and Lovers
Poseidon had numerous lovers, both divine and mortal, and fathered a wide array of children, many of whom were monstrous or heroic. His wife was the Nereid Amphitrite, with whom he had a son, Triton, a merman who blew a conch shell to calm or stir the waves. Other notable offspring include:
- Theseus: The Athenian hero was said to be the son of Poseidon and Aethra, though his mortal father was King Aegeus. Theseus’s divine parentage gave him extraordinary strength and a connection to the sea.
- Polyphemus: The one-eyed Cyclops in the Odyssey, son of Poseidon and the nymph Thoosa. His blinding by Odysseus is the central cause of Poseidon’s wrath.
- Pegasus: The winged horse, born from the blood of Medusa after she was killed by Perseus. In some versions, Poseidon was Medusa’s lover, and Pegasus was their offspring, though this is not the earliest tradition.
- Antaeus: A giant who drew strength from the Earth, his mother. He forced travelers to wrestle him and killed them, until Heracles defeated him by lifting him off the ground.
- Charybdis: A sea monster who swallowed and regurgitated water three times a day, creating whirlpools that threatened ships. She was the daughter of Poseidon and Gaia in some accounts.
Worship and Cult
Poseidon was widely worshipped across the Greek world, particularly in coastal regions and on islands. His sanctuaries were often located near the sea, such as the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion in Attica, which still stands today. The Isthmian Games, held every two years at Corinth, were dedicated to Poseidon and included athletic and musical competitions. Sailors and fishermen prayed to him for safe voyages and bountiful catches, and horses were sometimes sacrificed to him.
In some traditions, Poseidon was also associated with bulls. The myth of the Cretan Bull, which Heracles captured as one of his labors, involves a bull that Poseidon sent to King Minos. Minos failed to sacrifice it, and Poseidon punished him by making his wife Pasiphaë fall in love with the bull, leading to the birth of the Minotaur.
Poseidon vs. Other Gods
Poseidon frequently clashed with other deities, reflecting his volatile nature. His most famous rivalries were with Athena and Apollo. In addition to the contest for Athens, he competed with Apollo for the patronage of Delphi, but lost when the god of prophecy claimed the site. He also quarreled with Zeus, once joining Hera and Athena in a failed attempt to bind the king of the gods in chains—a story told in the Iliad. The rebellion was thwarted by the sea goddess Thetis, who called the hundred-handed giant Briareus to Zeus’s aid.
Unlike Zeus, who often intervened in mortal affairs through cleverness or seduction, Poseidon’s actions were typically direct and violent. He was known for his grudge-holding and his tendency to punish entire cities for the offenses of individuals, as seen in the myths of Athens and Aethiopia.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that Poseidon was simply the “god of the sea” and nothing more. In reality, he was also the god of earthquakes, horses, and, in some contexts, of fresh water and springs. His trident, often seen as a fishing spear, was originally a symbol of his power to shatter the earth and create springs. Another misconception is that he was always hostile to humans; while he could be vengeful, he was also a protector of sailors and a founder of cities, with many Greek colonies claiming him as their patron.
Another point of confusion is the relationship between Poseidon and the Roman god Neptune. While Neptune was identified with Poseidon, the two were not identical in all aspects; Neptune was also associated with fresh water and horses, but his myths were less developed and he was less prominent in Roman religion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Poseidon called the Earth-shaker?
Poseidon earned the epithet “Earth-shaker” because he was believed to cause earthquakes by striking the ground with his trident. In Greek mythology, earthquakes were often attributed to his anger or his movement beneath the earth, and he was invoked to prevent or stop seismic disasters.
Did Poseidon ever lose a contest?
Yes, Poseidon lost two notable contests. He lost the patronage of Athens to Athena, and he lost the claim to Delphi to Apollo. In both cases, his gifts were judged less valuable than those of his rivals, and his subsequent anger often led to punitive actions against the cities or regions involved.
Who were Poseidon’s most famous children?
Poseidon fathered many children, but the most famous are Theseus, the hero of Athens; Polyphemus, the Cyclops blinded by Odysseus; Pegasus, the winged horse; and Triton, his herald. He also had monstrous offspring like the giant Antaeus and the whirlpool monster Charybdis.
What was Poseidon’s role in the Trojan War?
Poseidon supported the Greeks during the Trojan War, but his motives were personal. He had built the walls of Troy for King Laomedon, who refused to pay him, so he held a grudge against the Trojans. He actively helped the Greek side, even defying Zeus’s order to stay out of the conflict.
How was Poseidon worshipped?
Poseidon was worshipped at temples near the sea, such as the one at Cape Sounion. His main festivals included the Isthmian Games at Corinth, which featured athletic competitions. Sailors and fishermen made offerings to him before voyages, and horses were sometimes sacrificed in his honor.
Related
- Poseidon God of the Sea: Powers & Abilities
- Athena Mythology Family: Parents, Siblings & Offspring
- Athena Mythology Powers: Wisdom, War & Craft
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