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The Gods of Ancient Greece:
Poseidon Poseidon is the brother of Zeus, and is the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He commands all the animals that live in the sea. He is married to Amphitrite, but was known to have many love-affairs. In myth he is often shown to be a god with a bad temper, and known to take revenge when wronged. However, he shows considerable favor to those he likes, and is especially helpful to sailors.
His symbols are fish, dolphins, and the trident. In artwork he is often seen throwing the trident, rather like a harpoon, or else you will see him accompanied by fish and dolphins.
The Poseida festival was held in Posiedon’s honor, but unfortunately we do not have any other information about it, not even the date. The 8th day of every month was sacred to him, and he also had a month named after him, Poseideon, which was repeated in “leap years.”
He was the father of the hero Theseus, king of Athens.
His alternate name is Erekhtheus.
Aspheleios, “steadfast”
Basileus, “king”
Ennosigaios, “earth-shaker”
Hippoos, “of horses”
Petraios, “of the rock”
Taureos, “bull-like”
(Campbell, p. 54)
Of Poseidon, the great god, I begin to sing,
shaker of the earth and of the barren sea,
god of the sea who holds Helikon and wide Aigai.
A double honor did the gods allot to you, Earthshaker,
to be both tamer of horses and savior of ships.
Farewell, Poseidon, dark-haired holder of the earth,
and, blessed one, with a kindly heart help those on the sea.
From: “Homeric Hymn to Poseidon,” http://www.utexas.edu/courses/gelbmyth/hymnposeidon.html
King of the poignant sea,
your powerful arms
belt the world,
we honor you.
You are indigo calm
deep
beneath stormy sea.
The tides obey
your bronze trident.
From your black curls
slide great waves.
Your sea horses
gallop in tidal waves
and trickling foam.
You are the dolphin,
and the palm tree.
You are the healthy
salt air of the sea.
Your thunder voice
enrages the deep as you
ride the boiling ocean
waves crashing at your command.
You are the black bull
drowning in the river.
You gave us horses.
Night haired Earth shaker,
survey Ocean's play
with a contented smile.
Split open rocks
and reveal fresh water
fountains and springs.
Make firm our roots in Earth.
Send prosperous winds.
Give us peace and health.
Pour blessings in shining waves.
From: “Orphic Hymn to Poseidon,” http://www.geocities.com/hiera_mysteria/poseidon1.html
In mythology Poseidon and Athena are often at odds with each other. Here is one such occasion.
Poseidon and Athena both wanted to be the patron of the city of Athens. They agreed to a contest. Whoever gave the best gift to the citizens would win the city. They went up to the acropolis, and Poseidon took his trident, struck the rock very hard with it, and a spring gushed forth. It was most impressive, but the water was salty, like sea-water. Next, Athena caused an olive tree to grow from the rock, and from it many things could be made, like food, oil for cooking and lighting, and wood. Therefore, Athena won the contest and the city. However, this angered Poseidon, and he took his revenge by flooding the Athenian plains. He let the waters subside when the citizens began to worship him as well as Athena.
Last updated: 09/02/2005