Poseidon, son of Cronus and Rhea, is the Greek god of waters, earthquakes, horses, and navigation. He had many wives and children, including Triton, Pegasus, and Polyphemus. Poseidon is associated with the trident and is often depicted in myths, including the contest with Athena for the patronage of Athens and his anger towards Odysseus in the Odyssey. He is also the counterpart of Neptune in Roman mythology and has inspired various artistic depictions and even a submarine-launched missile.
In Greek mythology, Poseidon – along with Demeter, Hades, Hera, Hestia and Zeus – is one of the sons of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. He is considered the patron of waters, earthquakes, horses and navigation, and his counterpart in Roman mythology is Neptune, from whose name the name of the eighth planet derives. He is associated with the trident that he carried.
Poseidon’s wife was the Nereid Amphitrite, who bore him a son, Triton. He also had many other wives and children: Demeter bore him Arion, and is said to be the father of the flying horse Pegasus, which was born from the body of the Gorgon Medusa after Perseus beheaded her, and another son Chrysaor. Poseidon was also the father of the Cyclops Polyphemus with the Nereid Thoosa and of the hero Orion, reportedly with Euryale, another of the Gorgons.
Several known myths include Poseidon. His life was dramatic from the start, for Cronus, fearing his sons would overthrow him, swallowed them. He and his brothers were delivered from the rebellion of Zeus and, in the division of the world between Zeus, Hades and himself, received the seas as his dominion.
In another myth, Poseidon and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, vie for the patronage of Attica. Both claimed the city for their own, and it was decided to have a contest. Poseidon struck the earth with his trident and created a spring. It may have been promising, but it was salt water. Athena, however, planted the first olive tree, and the citizens, seeing that she could provide not only food, but also oil and wood, chose Athena, hence the name of Athens.
Another story involving Poseidon is told in the Odyssey. After Polyphemus harbors Odysseus, eats some of his crew, and is blinded by Odysseus as part of his escape plan, Polyphemus appeals to his father Poseidon to avenge him. It is Poseidon’s anger that keeps Odysseus from returning home, providing the occasion for most of the adventures of the Odyssey.
Poseidon has a role in the 1981 film, Clash of the Titans, which is slated to be remade for a 2010 release. There is a statue of Poseidon in Copenhagen harbor and another in Barcelona. Numerous wall and vase paintings, ancient and modern, depicting Poseidon and Athena in the competition for Athens and in other situations.
Some of Neptune’s moons are named after Neptune/Poseidon’s children, such as Triton. Others are named after the Nereids, his wife’s sisters, such as Galatea, not to be confused with the homonymous statue brought back to life by the sculptor Pygmalion. Poseidon is also the name of a submarine-launched missile.
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