Ancient Greek myths tell if many potent gods and goddesses. Each with its own set of unique attributes. Poseidon, God of the Sea, was attributed with strength and aggression only rivaled by Zeus himself. He was known to be powerful and masculine. Poseidon is also known for his earthquakes, which gave him the title “Earth-shaker.” Poseidon was second in command to Zeus, a powerful symbol in the ancient Greek world, and is still a modern name used in our society.
Poseidon's birth was very controversial. His father Cronus swallowed every child that his wife, Rhea, bore. “Cronus was a paranoid ruler, because it had been prophesized that one of his own sons would dethrone him, just as Cronus had done to his father, Uranus” (www.mythman.com). It is said that Cronus swallowed Poseidon, along with his other siblings, whole. Others say Rhea quickly swapped the baby Poseidon for a foal. Zeus, Cronus's last son, was given to Gaea for safekeeping. Cronus was fooled into swallowing a rock that had been wrapped in baby blankets. Zeus grew up, and gave his father a potion that caused him to disgorge his siblings. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and the rest of the siblings, fought against the Titans to overthrow Cronus. The Titans were banished to Tartarus, the deepest pit of the Underworld. Zeus was to be leader of them, on account of his saving the rest of the gods. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades drew lots out of a helmet to decide which brother would rule each domain. Zeus drew the Heavens, Poseidon the sea, and Hades the Underworld.
Poseidon has been described in many ways. The most popular description was: a white headed and bearded man, sporting a headband and a large trident. He is said to have deep blue eyes, resembling the color of the sea itself. Poseidon dwelled at a magnificent castle at the bottom of the ocean. He is also portrayed riding a golden chariot, pulled by beautiful horses with golden manes.
Poseidon is the son of Cronus and Rhea. Cronus was the Titan king, and Titan god of time and the ages, who was overthrown by his sons and daughters. Rhea, his wife, was the Titan goddess of fertility. Poseidon had many siblings, including: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus. Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite, a Nereid, produced Triton, a half-human and half-fish. Poseidon impregnated Medusa to produce Chrysaor and Pegasus. Some of his other offspring are Theseus, Eumolpus, Polyphemus, King Amycus, Agenor, Busiris, Belus, Great Sinis, Orion, and Proteus.
Poseidon is known for having many symbols. One, the trident, is the weapon Poseidon was most known to carry into battle. It was given to him by the Cyclopes before the Titan-Olympian war. It was basically a three-pronged spear which is said to be able to shake and shatter any object. “ He is usually shown with a trident, a three-pronged spear, which he hurled at his enemies the same way Zeus hurled the thunderbolt” (Witting 55). Another, the horse, is a representation of the animal that Poseidon created. It is rumored that Poseidon admired Demeter very much. She asked him to make the most beautiful animal to walk the earth. He then, after a couple unsuccessful tries, created the animal we now know today as the horse.
Poseidon was a very powerful ruler. His strengths include aggression, power, and cunning. He was known to be very ruthless at times, getting whatever he needed, when he wanted it. He was also a very powerful ally to have in a war. Poseidon also had a way with the women. He had many affairs and even more children.
Although he was powerful and extraordinary, Poseidon had some flaws. For one, he was over-aggressive. He sometimes did not think of the consequences of his actions before doing them. He also was very competitive. He was known to be in serious competitions with other Olympians, and lost on occasion.
One of these competitions was between Poseidon and Athena. They were to each try to win over the people of Athens. Poseidon created the Spring at the Acropolis by thrusting a spear into the earth. Athena, the wiser of the two, created the olive tree. Athena won, which is why Athens bears its name. This is an example of how competitive and reckless Poseidon could be. As a result of losing, Poseidon angrily flooded the Attic Plain.
Poseidon can, aside from his aggression, be cooperative. He, along with Apollo, helped build the walls of Troy, only to be stiffed out of wages. Poseidon then joined the Greek side of the war, sending sea monsters and fighting against the Trojans. Poseidon also worked together with Athena. Athena made the chariot, and Poseidon provided the horses.
Poseidon is not only a symbol in Greek mythology, but one in our modern society. For example, Bruce Jones is opening the first underwater resort. “His plan: to open the Poseidon Mystery Island, the world's first major resort at the bottom of the ocean, by September 2008” (“1,200 Square Feet Under the Sea” Popular Science). Also, Poseidon is a popular name for many ships, and is also the inspiration for a new system of scuba gear.
In conclusion, Poseidon is a well-known name in mythology, a powerful symbol of Greek history, and an amazing inspiration for modern society. His power over the sea was as powerful and awesome as Artemis's aim or Athena's wisdom. He resided in his magnificent coral castle and kept watch over the stormy, restless seas. Every god was powerful, but none shared the passion and aggression of the Lord of the Sea.
