Poseidon: God of the Sea

The Greek words 'posis', meaning lord or husband and 'don' derived from 'dea' meaning goddess, must have given birth to the word Poseidon. Poseidon is the Greek God of the Sea. Cronus and Rhea are the parents of Poseidon. He has five siblings - Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus.

Poseidon is also known as the God of Earthquakes and the God of Horses. Dolphins, tridents and three-pronged fish spears are the symbols associated with him.

It is believed Poseidon, god of the sea lived in a palace made of coral and other precious gems under the ocean. The ancient Greeks believed that he drove a chariot pulled by several horses. Hence to honor him, the sailors would sacrifice horses by drowning them.

According to Greek myths, Poseidon is known for his numerous love affairs and fathered many children. One of his wife was Nereid, Amphitrite and their wedlock resulted in a half-human half-fish called Triton. Chrysaor and Pegasus were his children with Gorgon Medusa’s. Theseus was the result of the seduction of Aethra by Poseidon. Some of the offsprings of Poseidon, the sea god are Eumolphus, Polyphemus, King Amycus, Agenor, Proteus, Belus, Pelias and Busiris.

Tyro, a mortal woman, was in love with a river god named Enipeus. One day, Poseidon, disguised himself as Enipeus and approached Tyro. From their union were born, Pelias and Neleus. Poseidon was the father of Nauplius, the founder of Nauplia.

It is said, Poseidon did not even spare his sister, Demeter. To avoid him Demeter turned into a mare, while Poseidon transformed into a stallion to capture her. The result of this lust was a horse named Arion.

According to Iliad, an ancient Greek epic poem, Poseidon favored the Greeks and was active in the battle against the Trojan forces. In the Odyssey, another ancient Greek piece of poetry, Poseidon hated Odysseus because Odysseus was supposed to have blinded the God's son. Read to know more interesting facts about Poseidon.