Poseidon in Greek History
Poseidon's legacy emerged around 2,000 B.C. and was seen as the most powerful god to the Greek Ionians and Minyans. They worshiped him as the God of the sea, but also as the "Earth Shaker", and credited earth quakes to Poseidon. It wasn't until around 1,450 B.C. that Zeus took Poseidon's place as the most powerful god in the eyes of the people.
The God of the Sea played a role in Homer's epic poems: The Iliad, in which he embodies a man and helps in the destruction of the Troy, and Poseidon is also seen in The Odyssey. Along with Homer, Hesiod, Pausanias, and Apollodorus also wrote about Poseidon throughout their literature. |
Origin Myth
The youngest of the Titans, Cronus, was told that in the future one of his sons would dethrone him. To evade this, he swallowed the first five of the children he had with "the Mother of Gods", Rhea. These five children were Demeter, Hera, Hestia, Hades, and Poseidon. Rhea saved her next child, Zeus, from the last five of her children's fates.
Zeus went on to be raised by nymphs on Mount Ida, Crete. When he returned home, he become the Cronus' cup bearer. Taking advantage of his position, Zeus poisoned one of Cronus' drinks and he threw up a stone and the five of his children that he swallowed, including Poseidon.
After waging a ten year war against the Titans, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades became the supreme rulers after receiving gifts when they released a Cyclopes. (See Significant Stories page) This is how Poseidon gained his trident. Each of the three brothers then committed towards their realms. Zeus chose the sky, Hades decided on the Underworld, and Poseidon was set on the sea. Poseidon proceeded to become the total ruler of all water Gods and Goddesses.
Zeus went on to be raised by nymphs on Mount Ida, Crete. When he returned home, he become the Cronus' cup bearer. Taking advantage of his position, Zeus poisoned one of Cronus' drinks and he threw up a stone and the five of his children that he swallowed, including Poseidon.
After waging a ten year war against the Titans, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades became the supreme rulers after receiving gifts when they released a Cyclopes. (See Significant Stories page) This is how Poseidon gained his trident. Each of the three brothers then committed towards their realms. Zeus chose the sky, Hades decided on the Underworld, and Poseidon was set on the sea. Poseidon proceeded to become the total ruler of all water Gods and Goddesses.