In some versions of the story, he disguised himself as a cupbearer and snuck his father a poison that made him ill, forcing Cronus to vomit out his five children. Determined to overthrow his father, Zeus knew that he needed his powerful brothers and sisters. The baby boy was Zeus, and he was raised by nymphs until he came of age. However, when their mother, Rhea, gave birth again, she hid the youngest son and instead wrapped a stone in a blanket, presenting it to Cronus to eat. As a result, Cronus immediately swallowed his first five children, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. In Greek mythology, at the time of Poseidon’s birth, his father, the Titan Cronus, had learned of a prophecy stating that he would be overthrown by his own child. The Rise of the Olympians Birth of Poseidon: God of the Sea Although the sea gods of the two cultures originated separately, in fact Neptune was initially a god of freshwater, their similarities caused both cultures to adopt some of the mythology of the other. Poseidon is usually depicted as riding in a chariot pulled by horses or dolphins, and always wielding his signature trident. In works by Home, the Classical Greek poet who authored epic poems such as the Odyssey and Iliad, Poseidon is said to have a home near Aegae.
Where does Poseidon live?Īlthough he spent much of his time with the other gods on Mount Olympus, the Greek god Poseidon also had his own magnificent palace on the ocean floor, made of coral and gemstones. The sea was his primary domain, and though he received worship from numerous inland cities as well, the most fervent prayers came from sailors and fishermen venturing out onto the unpredictable waters of the Mediterranean. In many traditions, Poseidon is the creator of the very first horse, which he is said to have designed as a reflection of the beauty of rolling waves and surf. Although best known for being the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon was also considered the god of earthquakes, and often referred to as the earth shaker.