The ocean was a frightening place for early seafarers. Poseidon’s character, particularly his temperament, was typical of sea gods in the ancient world. Poseidon’s powers over both the sea and life on solid land have given modern historians insight into how the god evolved over time and what his origins may have been. The legendary animals said to live beneath the waves included literal seahorses, with equine bodies and thick fish tails. While horses are terrestrial animals, in Greece culture they were also associated with the sea. He was often credited as their creator, as well as the inventor of the chariot. Interestingly, Poseidon was also the god of horses. In the tectonically-active region of the Mediterranean, his power could be felt far away from his watery home. Poseidon’s chief attribute was his trident, which had the power to cause earthquakes as well as waves. The three sons of Cronus shared rule of the earth equally and Poseidon’s powers were often felt there. The god’s powers were not limited to the sea, however. Great sea monsters and serpents, probably inspired by brief glimpses of whales and other large marine animals, could attack both ships and coastal cities that incurred the god’s anger. Poseidon also held mastery over the frightening mysteries of the ocean’s depths. When Odysseus displeased him, for example, he hounded the hero for ten years until ordered by Zeus to end his campaign against the Ithacan king. Poseidon was quick to anger and known to hold a grudge. He was also, however, a temperamental and merciless god. The ruler of the sea was an important protective deity for sailors, fishermen, and coastal cities. He ruled the world under the waves just as his brothers were kings in their own domains. Poseidon ruled over the various nymphs and minor gods who made their home in the Mediterranean. The peninsulas and islands of the Mediterranean made the sea an important part of their culture and most Greek speakers lived within a short distance of the shore. The Greeks had many deities associated with the water. Zeus became the god of the sky while Hades took the realm of the dead. Zeus became king of the new gods of Mount Olympus and the three brothers had divided the realms of the world between themselves. He and his brothers, Zeus and Hades, had fought together to overthrow the Titans. Poseidon was one of the major gods of the Greek pantheon. They believe that Poseidon was once a land-based deity who, with the evolution of the Olympic pantheon, was moved to the sea. Modern historians, however, hypothesize that the answer to Poseidon’s dual powers over land and water lies in the origin of his mythology. Greek naturalists explained the connection by theorizing that earthquakes were connected to eroding rocks near the coast or changing water levels. Although he ruled the sea, he also had the ability to cause earthquakes and destruction far away from the coast.įrom a modern perspective, it may seem unusual for a sea god to have such power over the land. Poseidon’s quick temper was not only a threat to ships and cities along the coast, however. Like the sea itself, he could quickly change moods to become violent and destructive. The Greeks believed that Poseidon was one of the most important gods to appease. As much of Greek culture centered around the Mediterranean, the ruler of the marine realm played an important role in their religion.
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