The most common myth about Poseidon is that he was a purely violent, vengeful god who only caused storms and earthquakes. In reality, Greek sources portray him as a complex deity who was also a protector of sailors, a builder of walls, and the father of many heroes and monsters.
Who Was Poseidon in Greek Mythology?
Poseidon was one of the twelve Olympian gods, the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. In the standard account from Hesiod’s Theogony, his brothers are Zeus and Hades, and his sisters are Hestia, Demeter, and Hera. After the Olympians defeated the Titans, the three brothers drew lots to divide the cosmos: Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea. However, Poseidon also claimed dominion over earthquakes and horses, which is why he is often called the "Earth-Shaker" and the "Tamer of Horses."
The Myth of the Contest for Athens
One of the most famous myths about Poseidon is his contest with Athena for the patronage of Athens. According to Apollodorus and other sources, the two gods competed to give the city the best gift. Poseidon struck the Acropolis with his trident and produced a saltwater spring (or in some versions, a horse). Athena offered an olive tree, which was judged more useful. The city chose Athena, and Poseidon, in anger, flooded the plain of Attica. This myth explains the city’s name and also shows Poseidon’s role as a god who could both create and destroy.
Poseidon’s Role in the Odyssey and Other Epics
In Homer’s Odyssey, Poseidon is the main antagonist. He holds a grudge against Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Poseidon constantly sends storms and delays Odysseus’s journey home, demonstrating his power over the sea. Yet in the same epic, Poseidon is also shown as a god who can be appeased. Sailors prayed to him for safe passage, and he was honored with sacrifices before voyages. This dual nature—both dangerous and protective—is central to understanding his character.
Common Misconceptions About Poseidon
- He was only a sea god. While he was lord of the sea, he also controlled earthquakes and horses. In some local cults, he was worshipped as a god of fresh water, especially in springs and rivers.
- He was always angry. Many myths show him as calm and even helpful. For example, in the Iliad, he supports the Greeks and helps build the walls of Troy (though he later destroys them).
- He was the same as the Roman Neptune. The Romans equated Neptune with Poseidon, but Neptune was originally a god of fresh water and had a different mythology. Only later did the Romans adopt Greek myths for Neptune.
- He created the horse. In some myths, Poseidon created the first horse, but in others, he simply tamed it. The most common story is that he made the horse for the contest with Athena, but this varies by region.
Poseidon’s Offspring and Relationships
Poseidon had many children with both goddesses and mortals. With the sea nymph Amphitrite, he had Triton, a merman who blew a conch shell to calm or raise waves. With Medusa, he fathered Pegasus, the winged horse, and Chrysaor, a giant. He also had many mortal sons, such as Theseus (with Aethra) and Bellerophon (with Eurynome, though some say Glaucus). These children often became kings or heroes, showing that Poseidon was not just a destroyer but also a founder of dynasties. However, he also fathered monsters like the Cyclops Polyphemus and the giant Antaeus, reflecting his wilder side.
How Poseidon Was Worshipped in Ancient Greece
Poseidon had sanctuaries across Greece, but the most famous was at Cape Sounion, where a temple still stands overlooking the Aegean Sea. Sailors would offer horses, bulls, or other animals to him before setting out. In Corinth, he was the patron god, and the Isthmian Games (second only to the Olympics) were held in his honor. In some places, like the island of Delos, he was worshipped as a god of fertility and vegetation. The ancient Greeks did not see him as purely evil or good; they made offerings to appease him and to ask for his favor.
Poseidon in Art and Literature
In ancient art, Poseidon is usually depicted as a mature, bearded man holding a trident, often with a dolphin or a fish. The most famous statue is the Artemision Bronze, a life-size Greek statue of Poseidon (or Zeus) found in a shipwreck. In literature, he appears in the Iliad, the Odyssey, and in the Bibliotheca of Pseudo-Apollodorus. Later Roman authors like Ovid and Virgil also included him in their works, but they often changed his personality to fit Roman ideals. In modern times, Poseidon appears in movies like Clash of the Titans and in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, where he is shown as a caring father—something not prominent in ancient sources.
Poseidon vs. Other Sea Deities
Poseidon was not the only sea god in Greek mythology. The ancient sea god Nereus, called the "Old Man of the Sea," was known for wisdom and truth. Proteus could change shape and knew the future. Oceanus was a Titan who personified the great river that encircled the earth. Triton, Poseidon’s son, was a minor sea god. The Greeks often treated these figures as subordinate to Poseidon, but in earlier myths, they may have been more prominent. This shows that Poseidon’s supremacy was a later development, not an original fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Poseidon curse Odysseus?
Poseidon cursed Odysseus because Odysseus blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus proudly reveals his name to Polyphemus, who then prays to his father to punish him. Poseidon, being the god of the sea, made Odysseus’s journey home long and dangerous, but he did not kill him.
Did Poseidon have a wife?
Yes, Poseidon’s wife was Amphitrite, a sea nymph and daughter of Nereus and Doris. In some myths, she was one of the Nereids, and Poseidon saw her dancing on the island of Naxos and fell in love. They had several children, including Triton and Rhode. Amphitrite was rarely mentioned in myths but was honored as a goddess of the sea.
What is Poseidon’s symbol?
Poseidon’s main symbol is the trident, a three-pronged spear. He also had a chariot pulled by horses or sea creatures, and his sacred animals included the horse, the dolphin, and the bull. In art, he often holds a fish or a dolphin as well.
How did Poseidon die?
Poseidon did not die. In Greek mythology, the gods are immortal. He lives in a golden palace under the sea, near Aegae in Euboea, according to Homer. Even after the fall of the Olympians in later myths, they are not said to die, only to fade or be forgotten.
Was Poseidon stronger than Zeus?
Zeus was considered the king of the gods and the strongest, as he led the Olympians in the Titanomachy. Poseidon was powerful, but he was subordinate to Zeus. In the Iliad, Poseidon says he and Zeus are equals in honor, but he does not challenge Zeus’s authority. The myths generally place Zeus above all other gods.
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