The people then cast their votes, and Athena won, giving her name to the city. Then it was Athena’s turn: she threw her spear in the ground and from the impact there instantly grew a huge olive tree, ripe with olives. Poseidon threw his trident in the ground and from the impact, a powerful stream emerged. Before the citizens, they presented their gifts as a symbol of the blessings they would bestow on the city of the citizens who chose them for their patron god. The myth goes that in the early days when Athens didn’t yet have a name, Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, competed with Poseidon to become the patron god of the city. Poseidon competed with Athena for AthensĪs the name implies, Poseidon lost Athens to Athena. All it took was for Poseidon to throw his trident in the ground with anger. It was powerful on the earth as well, because it could create earthquakes. Poseidon’s trident wasn’t only powerful in the sea, where the god could use it to make huge waves and tsunamis. If his children meet violent ends, Poseidon is very likely to avenge them with nearly disproportionate punishment on the culprits or those associated with them. He is always giving advice, help, and guidance to his children. However, he is a very protective, loving father. He married the faithful Amphitrite, goddess of the sea and fish, who tolerated his infidelities. He also is aggressive in love, often not taking no for an answer when women reject him or are reluctant to sleep with him. There are several myths involving his wrath and getting involved in fights, confrontations, feuds, and grudges. He has a short fuse and is very easy to anger- not unlike the sea. He is considered wise and extremely powerful, commanding all seas and waters, with lesser deities associated with water being subjects of his realm.Īt the same time, he has an explosive, aggressive personality. He always has a lush beard and carries his trident. Poseidon is always depicted as a strong, well-exercised, mature man in his 40s. When Cronus was overthrown, he, Zeus, and Hades split up the world into territories: Zeus took the sky, Hades took the underworld, and Poseidon took the sea. In the great war that ensued, the Titanomachy, Poseidon fought alongside Zeus. When he grew up, he made Cronus throw up all his siblings, and that included Poseidon.Īs soon as they were out in the world, Zeus’ siblings joined in rebellion against their father. She managed to save him from being swallowed up by Cronus. He stays in his father’s belly together with his other siblings that followed until Rhea’s last son, Zeus, was born. But when Poseidon was born a little later, he too was swallowed up whole by his father Cronus.
When Rhea handed the baby over, Cronus swallowed it whole. This prophecy struck fear in Cronus’ heart, so as soon as Rhea gave birth he demanded to see the baby. She predicted that one of Cronus’ children would go on to overthrow him just like Cronus had overthrown Uranus. When Rhea was pregnant with their first child, Poseidon’s mother Gaia, the goddess who was literally the Earth in Greek mythology, made a prophecy. He ruled over the world with his wife Rhea, after overthrowing his father Uranus, the god who was literally the sky. Cronus was the previous king of the gods before the Olympians took over. Poseidon’s parents were the mighty titans Cronus and Rhea. 9 Fun Facts About the Greek God Poseidon Poseidon’s parentage and birth So much so, that some scholars believe Poseidon was being worshipped even before the other Greek gods, in the Minoan era.įor such an old and nuanced deity, it is surprising that all that is widely known about Poseidon is his trident and association with the sea when there’s so much more to him! So let’s dive into Poseidon’s rich mythology to learn who he really is. There are a lot of myths surrounding Poseidon, who is one of the oldest gods of the Greek pantheon. But there’s so much more to this important deity than just a cool appearance! Thanks to modern pop culture, the image of the bearded man with the giant trident is present everywhere. He is considered one of the three most powerful gods of the Olympic Gods and the Greek pantheon in general, together with Zeus and Hades.
Poseidon is the god of the sea and earthquakes for ancient Greeks.
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