by Anna Ford

Created on: November 25, 2010   Last Updated: June 26, 2011

Son of the Titans Cronos and Rhea, the Greek god Poseidon, was considered to be the god of the seas. Also known as Neptune to the Romans, he is often portrayed as changeful, quarrelsome, greedy, and aggressive.

Being a god, Poseidon was going to marry the beautiful Nereid, or water nymph, Thetis. Soon after his decision, it was foretold that Thetis’ son would be greater than his own father, leading to Poseidon's rejection of the Nereid. The prophesy did then come true as Thetis bore Achilles who was much greater than his father, Peleus.

Posdion then chose another Nereid named Amphitrite, but traveled often and fathered many other children around the world. Naturally, this set his wife into a jealous rage. Out of concern, it was said that Poseidon then created the dolphin and gave it to Amphitrite as a gift in hopes of easing her anger. For a time this method worked, Amphitrite would be insanely jealous, Poseidon would give her a rare gift, and then she would forgive him until the next time.

His creativity is well known through legends as he designed the octopus, squid, jellyfish or ‘sea-polyp’, swordfish, blowfish, sea cow, and the horse. Even after all of these and many more outrageous creations, Poseidon’s animal symbol is the bull and the horse. Both show stubborn will, and perhaps his most known creation was when he made the horse.

Here is a brief summary of how the horse was created:

Poseidon was wandering around in a meadow one day and caught sight of Demeter, goddess of the harvest. He quickly decided that he must have her yet she refused unless he would create for her a wonderful gift. It took him an entire week to perfect the animal that he would give her inturn for her heart. A few mistakes along the way include making the giraffe, hippopotamus, donkey, camel, and the zebra.

Then Poseidon finally created a herd of horses and gave them to Demeter as a gift, and from that herd, it is legend that all other horses descended from.

Since Poseidon was given control of the seas, his brother Zeus was given control of the skies and made ruler of the gods. Their other brother, Hades, was given control of the underworld, his symbol is wealth and riches.  As was mentioned before, Poseidon fathered many children outside his marriage to Amphitrite. He sought after nymphs, dryads-similar to nymphs except that they live on land in the forest, minor goddesses, and mortals.

Poseidon lived in his grand underwater palace with his wife and some of his children.

Learn more about this author, Anna Ford.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.