Poseidon

Poseidon is one of the twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and mythology. He is the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. As the protector of seafarers, he watched over many Hellenic cities and colonies. His Roman equivalent is Neptune.

Homer and Hesiod tell us that Poseidon became lord of the sea when the world was divided among Cronus' three sons after they overthrew their father. Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea. In Homer's Iliad, Poseidon supports the Greeks during the Trojan War, while in the Odyssey, he punishes Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, by creating dangerous storms that delay Odysseus's return home.

Poseidon is also known for competing with other gods to become the patron of various cities. For example, in Athens, he competed with Athena but lost. Despite this, he remained important to the city. Legends say that when Poseidon lost a contest, he would sometimes flood the land as punishment.

Etymology

The name "Poseidon" has many forms from ancient times. In early writing systems like Linear B, it appears as Po-se-da-o. Over time, the name changed in different regions and languages. Scholars have many ideas about where the name comes from, but there is no clear agreement.

Poseidon was especially important in places like Pylos and Thebes. He was known by titles such as "earth-shaker" and was linked to protection and the underworld. In some myths, he is connected to Demeter, the goddess of the earth.

Origins

During the Mycenean period, Poseidon was worshipped in many parts of Greece. In places like Pylos, he was seen as a protector and had titles like "earth-shaker." He was linked to nature and childbirth, especially in Crete where he was tied to the goddess Eleithyia. Later, these ideas carried into classical Greece.

In older myths from areas like Boeotia and Arcadia, Poseidon appeared as a horse, mating with earth goddesses and producing famous horses like Arion. These stories show how Poseidon was connected to water, the earth, and even the underworld. Over time, especially as Greek culture became more focused on the sea, Poseidon became known as the god of the sea, but his earlier roles as a water and earth god remained important.

Cult

Poseidon was a very important god in ancient Greece. He was known as the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. People worshipped him to protect sailors and their ships during voyages. He was especially honored in places like the Peloponnese and in many coastal cities.

In different cities, people held special festivals and games in Poseidon’s honor. For example, in Athens, there was a month named after him called Poseidaon. In Corinth, the Isthmian Games included races and competitions to celebrate him. Poseidon was also seen as a protector of horses and was linked to many athletic events that featured horse racing.

Temples of Poseidon

The Corinthians are credited with developing the Doric style of architecture. One early example is a building from around 690–650 BC at Isthmia, near Corinth, which was later dedicated to Poseidon and showed pioneering Doric features. Another early Doric temple was built at Thermon in Aetolia around 640–630 BC.

Important temples dedicated to Poseidon include:

• Isthmia: A wooden temple built around 690–650 BC, later destroyed in 470 BC.
• Paestum: A Doric temple from the early 6th century BC, once thought to honor Poseidon but now believed to be for Hera.
• Taranto: A Doric temple from the 6th century BC in Magna Graecia.
• Sounion in Attica: Two temples; the first began in 490 BC and was destroyed, while the second was completed in 425 BC.
• Kalaureia: A Doric temple from the mid-6th century BC on an island near Troezen in the Peloponnese.
• Hermione in Argolis: A notable temple from the late 6th century BC, now completely destroyed.
• Tainaron: A sanctuary in a cave, used as a place of refuge.
• Tinos: A temple from the 4th century BC dedicated to Poseidon and Amphitrite, later rebuilt in the 3rd century BC.

Mythology

Poseidon was one of the important gods in ancient Greek mythology. He was the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. Poseidon protected sailors and was respected by many coastal cities.

Poseidon was born to the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Because Cronus feared his children would overthrow him, he swallowed each child at birth. Poseidon was saved when his mother tricked Cronus, and later he helped free his siblings. Together with his brothers Zeus and Hades, Poseidon ruled over different parts of the world—Zeus the sky, Hades the Underworld, and Poseidon the sea.

Poseidon had many adventures and helped many heroes. He played a role in founding cities like Athens and was an important figure in stories about heroes like Theseus. His myths show his power over the sea and his strong presence in ancient Greek culture.

Genealogy

Poseidon was one of the important gods in ancient Greek stories. He was a brother to Zeus and Hades, who ruled the skies and the underworld, respectively. Together, these three brothers divided the world among themselves. Poseidon ruled over the seas, oceans, earthquakes, and horses, making him a key figure for sailors and many coastal cities. His parents were Cronus and Rhea, and he had many siblings and children in the myths.

In literature and art

In Greek art, Poseidon lives in a beautiful palace on the ocean floor, made of coral and gems. He rides a chariot pulled by a hippocampus or special horses that can travel on water. He is often shown with dolphins and a three-pronged fish spear called a trident.

In ancient stories, Poseidon plays an important role. In the Iliad, he supports the Greeks in battles. In the Odyssey, Poseidon dislikes Odysseus because Odysseus blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Because of this, Poseidon makes Odysseus's journey home very difficult with rough storms and big waves. In the Aeneid, Poseidon helps protect the Trojan fleet from another goddess, Juno, even though he is still upset about the Trojans.

In modern culture

Due to his status as a Greek god, Poseidon has appeared many times in modern and popular culture. He featured in the 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts.

Poseidon is also a key character in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians book series, where he is the father of the main character, Percy Jackson. In the movie version, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, he is played by an actor. Poseidon shows up in video games too, like in God of War 3, where players battle him, and in Hades, where he helps the main character with special powers.

Narrations

Here are some old stories and poems that tell about Poseidon:

• Homer, Odyssey, 11.567 (7th century BC)
• Pindar, Olympian Odes, 1 (476 BC)
• Sophocles, Electra, 504 (430 – 415 BC) & Oenomaus, Fr. 433 (408 BC)
• Euripides, Orestes, 12–16, 1024-1062 (408 BC)
• Bibliotheca Epitome 2: 1–9 (140 BC)
• Diodorus Siculus, Histories, 4.73 (1st century BC)
• Ovid, Metamorphoses, VI: 213, 458 (AD 8)
• Hyginus, Fables, 82: Tantalus, 83: Pelops, 84: Oenomaus & Poetic Astronomy, ii (1st century AD)
• Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2.22.3, 5.1.3–7, 5.13.1, 6.21.9, 8.14.10–11 (c. AD 160 – 176)
• Philostratus the Elder Imagines, I.30: Pelops (AD 170 – 245)
• Philostratus the Younger, Imagines, 9: Pelops (c. 200 – 245)
• First Vatican Mythographer, 22: Myrtilus; Atreus et Thyestes
• Second Vatican Mythographer, 146: Oenomaus