Poseidon is one of the major Greek Deities. Brother of Zeus and Hades, he rules the sea and everything that encompasses it. He is also known as the father of horses for reasons we shall explore further on in this article. There is a lot of information on Poseidon, many of it contradictory, so I will do my best to summarise the basics.
When Zeus overthrew their father Cornus and became king, the world was split into three; Zeus was granted the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the seas. The etymology of his name is somewhat unknown with different interpretations given by different scholars. These include 'husband', 'lord', 'earth', and 'water'.
During the Mycenean period of Ancient Greece, in some cities (such as Pylos) he was also celebrated as a God of the underworld and a protector of the city. In many different cultures the sea is associated with death, and so this is not unsurprising. There are other tales which connect Poseidon with the underworld throughout the many periods that spanned his worship. For example, in one, as the God of the underworld, he is depicted as a horse who mates with the earth Goddess (Erinys or Demeter), who gives birth to Arion and Desponia (believed to be another name for Persephone).
Poseidon is also have said to have created the first horse by striking his trident against a rock, and it was also he who taught mortals how to tame horses. He was the father of the famed winged horse Pegasus (with Medusa), and horse races were often held as a way to celebrate Poseidon.
When Zeus overthrew their father Cornus and became king, the world was split into three; Zeus was granted the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the seas. The etymology of his name is somewhat unknown with different interpretations given by different scholars. These include 'husband', 'lord', 'earth', and 'water'.
During the Mycenean period of Ancient Greece, in some cities (such as Pylos) he was also celebrated as a God of the underworld and a protector of the city. In many different cultures the sea is associated with death, and so this is not unsurprising. There are other tales which connect Poseidon with the underworld throughout the many periods that spanned his worship. For example, in one, as the God of the underworld, he is depicted as a horse who mates with the earth Goddess (Erinys or Demeter), who gives birth to Arion and Desponia (believed to be another name for Persephone).
Poseidon is also have said to have created the first horse by striking his trident against a rock, and it was also he who taught mortals how to tame horses. He was the father of the famed winged horse Pegasus (with Medusa), and horse races were often held as a way to celebrate Poseidon.
He was also known as the God of earthquakes, as some Ancient Greeks believed that earthquakes were caused by rocks eroding into the seas and rivers.
Whilst Poseidon was worshipped all over Greece, Peloponnese was known as 'the residence of Poseidon'. In Athen's he was second in importance to Athena, and he was the chief God in many cities of Ionia and Magna Graecia.
Whilst he was also the God of storms, he was also known as the protector of sailors and fishermen. Tuna was often given as an offering by fishermen who would pray to Poseidon to protect their nets.
As well as being the God of the sea, he was also known as the God of springs and the leader of the nymphs, and he could create springs with his trident. His trident is one of his main magical tools, and as well as creating springs and islands, it was said that he could use it to cause earthquakes, wreck ships, and drown those who displeased him.
Whilst Poseidon had many lovers, his main consort was the nymph Amphitrite who was known as the Queen of the Sea, although whether there marriage was consensual or not depends on the version of the tale. As well as many lovers, he had many children (far too many to list here), including Atlas (whose mother was a mortal woman named Cleito), who became the first ruler of the famed Atlantis.
On the one hand he was a protector, ruler of the seas which were necessary to the survival of the Ancient Greeks. On the other, he was proud and vengeful, whose temper could raze entire cities. He is often depicted as strong, and bearded, with dolphins and his trident, riding a chariot pulled by horses or in his palace made from coral and jewels.
Whilst Poseidon was worshipped all over Greece, Peloponnese was known as 'the residence of Poseidon'. In Athen's he was second in importance to Athena, and he was the chief God in many cities of Ionia and Magna Graecia.
Whilst he was also the God of storms, he was also known as the protector of sailors and fishermen. Tuna was often given as an offering by fishermen who would pray to Poseidon to protect their nets.
As well as being the God of the sea, he was also known as the God of springs and the leader of the nymphs, and he could create springs with his trident. His trident is one of his main magical tools, and as well as creating springs and islands, it was said that he could use it to cause earthquakes, wreck ships, and drown those who displeased him.
Whilst Poseidon had many lovers, his main consort was the nymph Amphitrite who was known as the Queen of the Sea, although whether there marriage was consensual or not depends on the version of the tale. As well as many lovers, he had many children (far too many to list here), including Atlas (whose mother was a mortal woman named Cleito), who became the first ruler of the famed Atlantis.
On the one hand he was a protector, ruler of the seas which were necessary to the survival of the Ancient Greeks. On the other, he was proud and vengeful, whose temper could raze entire cities. He is often depicted as strong, and bearded, with dolphins and his trident, riding a chariot pulled by horses or in his palace made from coral and jewels.
