Poseidon's Background information
Poseidon was the god of seas, horses and earthquakes. He is the protector of all the waters, and widely worshipped by seamen. The horse is sacred to Poseidon, and myth says it is because he once mated with a horse (Demeter). In the beginning of Ancient Greece, Poseidon, Zeus and Hades chose from the realms of the world. Poseidon chose the water, Zeus the sky, and Hades the underworld. Poseidon's weapon is the trident, and he uses it to shatter any object and shake the earth, therefore causing earthquakes. When these earthquakes happen, it is found that he is normally in bull-form, hence he was called "The Earth-shaking Bull."
Poseidon's Love
Poseidon married Amphitrite, the daughter of the Titan, Oceanus. He has had many kids, as he tends to take after Zeus, having many love affairs with other goddesses, nymphs, and mortals. Most of Poseidon's kids are giants, and include the Cyclops Polyphemus. Poseidon is very protective of his kids. He made his son Cycnus invulnerable to weapons, and when Polyphemus was blinded, he tortured Odyseseus for ten years. When Poseidon first asked Amphitrite to marry him, she refused. He kept sending messengers to plead with her about it, and finally, the messenger Dephinius succeeded. To show his gratitude, he placed an image of a dolphin in the sky, to memorialize Dephinius. Poseidon has a shape-shifting power, which he often uses to his advantage. He sometimes grants this power to others.
Myths
Myth says that at one time Poseidon like Demeter. Demeter asked him to make the most beautiful horse in the world. By the time he had made the horse, his passion for Demeter had cooled. BUT, Poseidon used his shape-shifting power to change into a stallion and mate with Demeter. Out of this relationship, they had two "kids." Myth also says that he once mated with Medusa, and they had a winged horse 'Pegasus' together.
Another myth is that Poseidon and Athena once competed for the love of the people around Acropolis. They had a competition to see who could make the most divine object. Poseidon created a spring of salt water, and Athena created an olive tree. The people of Acropolis chose Athena over Poseidon, and that is why there is they city of Athens in Greece, not Poseidonia.
Another myth is that Poseidon and Athena once competed for the love of the people around Acropolis. They had a competition to see who could make the most divine object. Poseidon created a spring of salt water, and Athena created an olive tree. The people of Acropolis chose Athena over Poseidon, and that is why there is they city of Athens in Greece, not Poseidonia.
Fun Facts
*Wherever Poseidon goes, he rides in a gold chariot drawn by two white horses with gold manes and brass hooves.
*Poseidon has a bad temper, is quick to anger, moody, unpredictable, greedy, difficult, and quarrelsome.
*Yet, he is creative, designing all the creatures in the sea.
*His parents are Cronus and Rhea.
*Poseidon is second only to Zeus in power among the gods, and he resents Zeus having the greater power.
*Poseidon had a series of fights with the other gods when he tried to take over their cities.
*Since Poseidon is the ruler of the seas, he is able to create storms and many shipwrecked voyages. Yet, he is also able to grant safety and safe voyages in the water.
*Poseidon has a beautiful underwater palace that he built for himself.
*Poseidon has a bad temper, is quick to anger, moody, unpredictable, greedy, difficult, and quarrelsome.
*Yet, he is creative, designing all the creatures in the sea.
*His parents are Cronus and Rhea.
*Poseidon is second only to Zeus in power among the gods, and he resents Zeus having the greater power.
*Poseidon had a series of fights with the other gods when he tried to take over their cities.
*Since Poseidon is the ruler of the seas, he is able to create storms and many shipwrecked voyages. Yet, he is also able to grant safety and safe voyages in the water.
*Poseidon has a beautiful underwater palace that he built for himself.