The Greek Gods Family Tree and Genealogy The genealogy of these ancient deities can be established via the Greek gods family tree which also provides an overview of the relationship of Poseidon to the other Greek gods and deities.The Greek gods family tree and genealogy provides an overview of his relationship to the other Greek gods and deities. Poseidon Symbols In the sculptures, vases, mosaics and paintings of Greek Art the Olympian god Poseidon was often illustrated with images representing his symbols. Poseidon is often seen seated on his sea-shell chariot drawn by mythical creatures called Hippocamps which were the horses of the sea and depicted as 'hybrid animals' with the head and fore-parts of a horse and the tail of a fish. The symbols of Poseidon were: - The Trident
- The symbol of the trident of power represents his ability to control water. The trident were made by the Cyclopes before the war between the Olympians and Titans.
- The trident resembled the arrow-headed pronged fork, used by the fishermen of the Mediterranean Sea in the eel-fishery
- The Horse
- The symbol of the horse is because Poseidon was believed to have created the first horse. The horses that pulled his sea shell chariot were called Hippocamps
- The Dolphin
- The symbol of the dolphin was sacred to Poseidon, dolphins have the ability to move in and out of water
- The Bull
- The symbol of the bull is associated with the god due to the mythology of the Cretan Bull that he sent to King Minos. This legend is detailed below.
The Greek god Poseidon in his chariot drawn by Hippocamps (Horses of the sea) Amphitrite and Poseidon in Greek Mythology The Greek god of the sea, married the sea-nymph Amphitrite. She was the daughter of Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea, who was known to drive his chariot through the waves, dominating the sea. Poseidon in Greek Mythology The Greek god of the sea, featured in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology, including the legend of the Minotaur. The legend and myth tells of King Minos of Crete who called upon Poseidon to send a bull from the sea that he could sacrifice to the god as a sign of support. A beautiful white bull was sent to King Minos who liked it too much to sacrifice, it was then referred to as the the Cretan Bull. The god was furious and asked Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love) to cast a spell on Pasiphae, the wife of King Minos. The spell caused Pasiphae to fall in love with the bull. The result of their union was the monstrous Minotaur, a man-eating monster with the head of a bull on the body of a man who was kept in an enormous labyrinth. The Minotaur was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus. The Cretan Bull - a gift from Poseidon Facts about Poseidon - Greek Sea Gods Family Tree The following ancient Greek Sea Gods family tree provides and overview of the lineage and genealogy of Poseidon. Poseidon - The Sea gods Family Tree Facts about Poseidon in Greek Mythology Discover interesting information and facts about Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. The facts about the god of the sea provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Poseidon in Greek Mythology. Poseidon in Mythology and Legend He was father of the hero Theseus, although the mortal Aegeus also claimed that he was his father. Theseus accepted both of them
He rescued Amymone from a lecherous satyr and then had a child named Nauplius with her.
In the story of the Odyssey by Homer, Poseidon is notable for his hatred of the hero Odysseus who blinded the god's son, the monstrous cyclops Polyphemus. He delayed return of Odysseus from the Trojan War by causing his boat to be ship wrecked
The sea god ravished Medusa, a beautiful priestess in a temple to the goddess Athena. The poor priestess was then changed into the mythical creature called a Gorgon by Athena. The name of the Gorgon was Medusa
He vied with Athena to be patron deity of Athens
The Aloadae were giant sons of Poseidon called Otus and Ephialtes who attempted to scale Olympus and dethrone Zeus. The were sentenced to never ending torment in Tartarus
As god of the sea he lived in a beautiful palace on the ocean floor, made of coral and precious gems |