Who was Poseidon? Myths and stories of Ancient Greek God Poseidon. What is Poseidon’s most famous myth and explanations. Descent of Poseidon and the punishment of Ulysses.
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Poseidon is a god in Greek mythology, known as the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is one of the twelve Olympian gods and is the brother of Zeus and Hades. Here are a few myths and stories associated with Poseidon:
- The Contest for Athens: Poseidon and Athena both competed for the patronage of the city of Athens. Poseidon struck the Acropolis with his trident, creating a saltwater spring, but Athena won the contest by creating the olive tree, which was more useful to the people.
- The Birth of Perseus: Poseidon played a role in the birth of the demigod Perseus, who was the son of Zeus and Danaë. Zeus had disguised himself as a shower of gold to seduce Danaë, but Poseidon was also interested in her, and he sent a flood to the island where she and Perseus were living.
- The Cyclops: In one myth, Poseidon punished the Cyclops, a race of one-eyed giants, for not including him in their sacrifices. He blinded the Cyclops Polyphemus, who was later blinded by Odysseus and his men.
- The Battle of the Giants: In another myth, Poseidon joined forces with the other Olympian gods to defeat the Giants, who had risen up against the gods. Poseidon used his trident to cause earthquakes that buried the Giants under mountains.
- The Horse-shaped Sea Monster: In yet another myth, Poseidon sent a horse-shaped sea monster to ravage the land as punishment for the king’s refusal to sacrifice his daughter to the sea god.
These are some of the most popular myths and stories associated with Poseidon, but there are many more, and it’s worth noting that different versions of these myths may vary in details.
Descent of Poseidon
In Greek mythology, there are several stories about the descent of Poseidon, the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.
- The Descent of Poseidon to the Underworld: In one story, Poseidon, along with the other Olympian gods, descended to the underworld to free the Titans, who were imprisoned there. This story is related to the Gigantomachy, a battle between the Olympians and the Giants, who were the children of Gaea and Uranus.
- Poseidon’s Descent to the Earth: In another story, Poseidon descended to the earth and created the horse, earthquakes and sea. He was said to have created the first horse by striking the earth with his trident and causing a spring of water to gush out, from which the first horse emerged. He also used his trident to cause earthquakes and created the sea by striking the earth with it.
- Poseidon’s Descent to the Sea: In yet another story, Poseidon descended to the sea and created the first sea monsters and horses. He was also said to have created the first ship by teaching mankind how to build and navigate them.
It’s worth noting that these are just myths and stories, and the actual origins of the universe and its inhabitants are explained through scientific theories.
The Punishment of Ulysses
The Wrath of Poseidon: Ulysses blinded the Cyclops Polyphemus, who was the son of Poseidon, and thus the god of the sea punished Ulysses with a long and difficult journey home. Ulysses and his men suffered through many trials and obstacles, such as the wrath of the sea-god, including shipwrecks, monsters, and the wrath of the gods.
