Poseidon is the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes and horses. Brother of Zeus and Hades, he drew the realm of the waters as his share. To the Romans he was Neptune. With a blow of his trident, a gift from the Cyclopes, he could raise storms, split rocks and make springs gush forth.
His family
He lived in a golden palace in the depths of the sea near Aegae (Aigai) and rode the waves in a chariot drawn by golden-maned horses. His wife was the Nereid Amphitrite, and their son Triton, half man and half fish, blew a conch shell to calm or stir the waters. Poseidon had many other children, often gigantic or monstrous: the Cyclops Polyphemus, the winged horse Pegasus, born from Medusa's blood, and, according to some, the hero Theseus.
Main myths
- The contest for Athens: Poseidon and Athena competed to be the city's protector. Poseidon struck the rock of the Acropolis and a saltwater spring gushed out; Athena made an olive tree grow. The citizens chose Athena's gift, and the city took her name. The story was carved on the pediment of the Parthenon.
- His anger against Odysseus: after Odysseus blinded his son Polyphemus, Poseidon pursued him for ten years, raising storms that kept him from reaching Ithaca.
- The Cretan bull: Poseidon sent Minos a white bull to sacrifice; the king kept it, and as punishment the god made Queen Pasiphaë fall in love with the animal: the Minotaur was born.
- The walls of Troy: with Apollo he built the walls of Troy for King Laomedon, who then refused to pay; this is why Poseidon was hostile to the Trojans in the Trojan War.
His cult
Sailors prayed to Poseidon before setting out. His most famous temple is at Cape Sounion, at the tip of Attica, overlooking the Aegean and famous for its sunsets; Lord Byron carved his name on its columns. At the Isthmus of Corinth, in his sanctuary, the Isthmian Games were held.
See also the twelve Olympians and sea monsters.