Greek God Poseidon: The God of the Sea

Poseidon holding a trident.

Poseidon (Ποσειδῶν) is one of the twelve Olympian Gods in Greek mythology. He is the the Greek God of the seas, earthquakes, and tidal wave. He is referred to as "Earth-Shaker" due to his role in causing earthquakes, and has been called the "tamer of horses". His symbols include the horse, bull, dolphin, and the famous trident. In Greek, Roman, and Hindu mythology, the trident is said to have the power of control over the ocean.

Poseidon was the Middle son of Cronus and Rhea. In most accounts he is swallowed by Cronus at birth but later saved, with his other brothers and sisters, by Zeus. He was brother of Zeus and Hades. Married to the Nereid Amphitrite, daughter of Nereus and Doris. Like almost all male Greek Gods he had many female and male lovers. With his wife and  sea-goddess Amphitrite he had two children, Triton and Benthesikyme. Triton is the messenger of the sea.


Poseidon had love with the mortal Tyro, disguised himself as the river god Enipeus, and from their union were born the heroes Pelias and Neleus, twin boys. With Alcyone, one of the Pleiades, he had five children: Aethusa, Hyrieus, Hyperenor, Hyperes, and Anthas. The Greek God Poseidon fell in love with the human mortal Cleito and created a dwelling sanctuary at the top of a hill. She gave birth to five sets of twin boys, the firstborn who being named Atlas, became the first rulers of Atlantis. Poseidon also pursued Demeter. She spurned his advances, turning herself into a mare so that she could hide. However, the Greek God Poseidon saw through the deception and captured her. Their child was a horse, Arion, which was capable of human speech. They also had a second child, Despoina. She was the goddess of mysteries of Arcadian cults Poseidon also had sexual intercourse with Medusa on the floor of a temple to Athena. The Greek Goddess Athena was furious and transformed  Medusa into a monster.