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. He watched over seafarers and many Hellenic cities.

Homer and Hesiod tell us that Poseidon became lord of the sea when the world was divided among Cronus' three sons. Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea. In Homer's Iliad, Poseidon helped the Greeks. In the Odyssey, he created storms that delayed Odysseus's journey home.

Poseidon sometimes competed with other gods to become the patron of cities. In Athens, he competed with Athena but lost. Even so, he stayed important to the city.

Etymology

The name "Poseidon" has looked different in ancient times. In early writing like Linear B, it looks like Po-se-da-o. Over time, the name changed in different places and languages. Scholars have many ideas about where the name comes from, but no one knows for sure.

Poseidon was very important in places like Pylos and Thebes. He was called names like "earth-shaker" and was linked to safety and the world below. In some stories, 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. These stories show how Poseidon was connected to water, the earth, and even the underworld. Over time, Poseidon became known as the god of the sea, but his earlier roles as a water and earth god remained important.

Cult

Poseidon was an important god in ancient Greece. He was the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. People worshipped him to keep sailors and their ships safe during trips. He was especially honored in places like the Peloponnese and many coastal cities.

In different cities, people had special festivals and games to honor Poseidon. 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 with horse racing.

Temples of Poseidon

The Corinthians helped create the Doric style of building. An early example is from around 690–650 BC at Isthmia, near Corinth. This building was later dedicated to Poseidon.

Important temples for Poseidon include:

• Isthmia: A wooden temple built around 690–650 BC, later destroyed.
• 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 finished 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 gone.
• Tainaron: A sanctuary in a cave, used as a safe place.
• Tinos: A temple from the 4th century BC for Poseidon and Amphitrite, later rebuilt in the 3rd century BC.

Mythology

Poseidon was an important god 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. Cronus swallowed his children because he was afraid they would overthrow him. Poseidon was saved when his mother tricked Cronus. Later, he helped free his siblings. Together with his brothers Zeus and Hades, Poseidon ruled over different parts of the world—Zeus ruled the sky, Hades ruled the Underworld, and Poseidon ruled the sea.

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

Genealogy

Poseidon was an important god in ancient Greek stories. He was a brother to Zeus and Hades. Zeus ruled the skies, and Hades ruled the underworld. The three brothers divided the world among themselves. Poseidon ruled the seas, oceans, earthquakes, and horses. He was very important for sailors and coastal cities. His parents were Cronus and Rhea. 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 hurt his son. 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.

In modern culture

Poseidon is a popular figure in modern culture. He appeared in the 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts.

Poseidon is also an important character in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians books. He is the father of the main character, Percy Jackson. In the movie Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, an actor plays him. Poseidon also appears in video games. Players battle him in God of War 3, and he helps the main character with special powers in Hades.

Narrations

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

• Homer, Odyssey
• Pindar, Olympian Odes
• Sophocles, Electra & Oenomaus
• Euripides, Orestes
• Bibliotheca
• Diodorus Siculus, Histories
• Ovid, Metamorphoses
• Hyginus, Fables & Poetic Astronomy
• Pausanias, Description of Greece
• Philostratus the Elder Imagines
• Philostratus the Younger, Imagines
• First Vatican Mythographer
• Second Vatican Mythographer