Poseidon
Poseidon
8 min read
Greek god of the sea, oceans, and earthquakes, worshipped in ancient Greek mythology. Brother of Zeus and Hades, Poseidon rules over the seas and is often depicted wielding a trident. A central figure of the Olympian pantheon, he embodies the power of marine and seismic forces.
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Major deity of the Greek Olympian pantheon, worshipped since the Mycenaean period (2nd millennium BCE)
- Depicted carrying a trident as the symbol of his power over the seas and waters
- Venerated as the protector of navigators and sailors throughout the ancient Mediterranean world
- Associated with earthquakes, earning him the epithet 'Poseidon the Earth-Shaker' (Ennosigaios)
- Father of many legendary creatures, including Polyphemus the Cyclops and Pegasus the winged horse
Works & Achievements
A mythic weapon symbolizing the god's power over the seas and earthquakes. The trident is Poseidon's defining attribute and represents his dominion over the three maritime realms.
The founding of organized worship of Poseidon in ancient Greece, expressed notably through the Isthmian Games at Corinth and coastal sanctuaries. This cult reflects the deep religious importance of the god to Mediterranean peoples.
According to mythology, Poseidon is the creator of the horse, a symbol of his power and his connection to the forces of nature. This act of creation establishes him as a life-giving deity.
Poseidon pursues the hero Odysseus for ten years after the Trojan War, punishing him for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. This episode illustrates the god's power and his capacity for vengeance over the seas.
Poseidon fathers the Minotaur through his union with Pasiphae, queen of Crete. This monster becomes a central figure in Cretan mythology and embodies the consequences of divine wrath.
Poseidon plays a part in the great flood sent to destroy sinful humanity, underscoring his role as a destructive force capable of reshaping the world. This mythic event symbolizes the god's cataclysmic power.
Poseidon competes with Athena for patronage of Athens by striking the ground to produce a saltwater spring, but Athena wins by gifting the olive tree. This myth explains the goddess's special bond with the city, while Poseidon retained coastal sanctuaries throughout Attica.
Anecdotes
Poseidon was venerated as the protector of Greek sailors and navigators, who offered him sacrifices before setting out to sea. The Greeks believed the god could unleash devastating storms if offended, which explains why ports and coastal sanctuaries were dedicated to him throughout the Mediterranean basin.
Poseidon's trident, his characteristic weapon, symbolized his control over three domains: fresh waters, salt waters, and earthquakes. In Greek artistic representations — especially on coins and vases — the god is almost always shown holding this distinctive trident.
The cult of Poseidon was particularly important in Athens and Corinth, maritime cities that depended heavily on naval trade. The Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, in Attica, was a famous landmark for ancient sailors, its ruins still commanding the Aegean strait today.
According to Greek myths recorded in the works of Hesiod and Homer, Poseidon took part in the drawing of lots to divide the world with his brothers Zeus and Hades, receiving the oceans as his share while Zeus received the sky and Hades the underworld.
The Isthmian Games, one of the major athletic competitions of ancient Greece, were held every two years near the sanctuary of Poseidon at the Isthmus of Corinth, drawing athletes from across Greece to honor the sea god.
Primary Sources
Poseidon, the earth-shaker, rose from the sea and appeared before the Argives. He had the stature of the immortal gods and carried his fearsome trident. The waves rose before him like mountains.
Poseidon, the dark-eyed god of the sea, enraged at Odysseus, stirred up terrible storms and monstrous waves to punish him for blinding his son Polyphemus.
Poseidon received as his domain the kingdom of the grey sea, and Hades the misty realm of the dead, while Zeus was given the vast sky. Thus were the domains divided among the three brothers, sons of Cronus.
I sing of Poseidon, the mighty god who shakes the earth and rules the seas, brother of great Zeus and dark Hades, who received as his share the stormy deep.
Poseidon, lord of the seas, guards the Ocean that girdles the world. Ships and sailors fear him and offer him sacrifices to win his favour.
Key Places
Divine home of the Greek pantheon where Poseidon reigns alongside Zeus and the other Olympian gods. It is the seat of divine power and the place where Poseidon takes part in the assemblies of the gods.
The legendary island created and ruled by Poseidon according to Greek mythology. The god built his temple there and reigned over this mysterious sunken continent, symbolizing his power over the seas.
Greek city where Poseidon had an important sanctuary and a thriving cult. The coastal region of Corinth was particularly devoted to the god who protected seas and sailors.
A promontory of Attica where an ancient temple dedicated to Poseidon stands overlooking the Mediterranean. This sanctuary symbolizes the bond between the god and the sea, serving as a landmark for sailors.
Poseidon plays a crucial role in the Trojan War, supporting the Greeks against the Trojans. He intervenes directly in the fighting and embodies Greek maritime power in its conflict with the city of Asia Minor.
A region of central Greece where Poseidon is venerated as the protector against earthquakes and as a patron of horsemen, with local cults devoted to him closely tied to horses and geological phenomena.
