Poseidon (Earth-Shaker)
godPoseidon was the god of the sea and earthquakes whose moods determined whether sailors lived or died — and whose grudge against Odysseus drove the Odyssey.
The Myth
Poseidon received dominion over the sea when the cosmos was divided. His trident could cause earthquakes, create springs, and summon storms. He competed with Athena for Athens (offering a salt spring vs. her olive tree) and lost. He built Troy's walls with Apollo but was cheated by Laomedon. He cursed Odysseus for blinding Polyphemus. He fathered the Cyclopes, Theseus (in some versions), and many monsters. The Greeks feared his wrath at sea above all things.
Children
Polyphemus, Triton, Theseus, Pegasus, many others
Symbols
Fun Fact
The planet Neptune is named for Poseidon's Roman counterpart — the most distant major planet, ruling the outermost "sea" of the solar system.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Apollo
godGod of light, music, poetry, and prophecy. Apollo embodied the Greek ideal of youthful masculine...
Athena
godGoddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, born fully armored from the head of Zeus. Patron deity of...
Athens
placeAthens was the city sacred to Athena, birthplace of democracy, philosophy, drama, and Western...
Kronos
titanKing of the Titans who ruled during the mythological Golden Age. Kronos overthrew his father...
Odysseus
heroThe cleverest of the Greek heroes, whose ten-year journey home from Troy is one of the greatest...
Pegasus
creatureThe immortal winged horse that sprang from the blood of Medusa when Perseus beheaded her. Pegasus...