1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

In the mythology of Ancient Greece there is a whole range of gods with greater or lesser powers, some in their day were relatively minor figures but have been into more prominence in later years, one of these gods is Triton.

Most people are now more likely to know the name of Triton from the Disney cartoon "The Little Mermaid", where King Triton rules Atlantica and is the father of Ariel. This character although based on a character from a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, has even older roots in Greek mythology.

In Greek mythology the sea had its own gods and mythical creatures under the ruling of the Lord of the Sea, Poseidon. The likes of Proteus, god of sea creatures, and Glaucus, appear occasionally, as does Triton, the son of Poseidon. Triton was born of the marriage between Poseidon and the sea goddess Amphitrite, queen of the sea and daughter of the Titans. Triton is most commonly said to reside with his parents in a golden palace beneath the waves, acting as a messenger for them.

Triton is normally depicted as a merman, the male equivalent of a mermaid, with the upper body of a man, and the lower appendage represented by the tail of a fish. He is often depicted with a triton, similar to the one that Poseidon himself carries, but he is more normally seen with a twisted conch shell in his hand. The snail shell allows him to play it like a trumpet, and depending on the tune that he plays can either calm the sea waves or have them calm down. Triton also had the ability to ride the creatures of the deep in order that messages could be delivered, although if there were no sea creatures around he could also ride upon the crest of the waves upon magical horses.

Greek tales also tell of how Triton fathered the sea goddess Pallas, the destroyer of Ajax's ship, and also nurtured Athena, another goddess. The two goddesses were raised alongside each other but were prone to fighting one another. During one fight Athena, who had the protection of Zeus, accidentally inflicted a killing blow on her surrogate sister.

Triton rarely figured in tales from Greek mythology, although he does make a brief appearance in the story of Jason and the Argonauts, when he guides the Argo back into the open sea after the boat became lost in marshland.

Triton himself, although a Greek god, appears more often in ancient Rome, often displayed on fountains from antiquity. Additionally the most famous tale of Triton relates to a challenge issued to him by Misenus in a battle to decide who the best trumpeter was. The contest though did not occur as Triton annoyed at the arrogance of the Aeneas trumpeter threw him into the sea.

Over time the name of Triton became pluralized and there was a host of Tritons, mermen and mermaids that would appear alongside the likes of Poseidon and Amphitrite.

Triton was never more than a sea spirit or god in the tales of ancient Greece; although present he never reached the acclaim of his father or any other Olympian. He has though been remembered, and whilst other more notable gods have been forgotten, Triton lives on at least with children who watch The Little Mermaid.

Learn more about this author, Tim Harry.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Mythical sea creatures: the triton?
We want to hear your view. Write now!