In ancient Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea. He was one of the 12 gods who were believed to live on Mount Olympus, though he had a palace under the sea as well. In Roman mythology Poseidon was associated with the god Neptune because the two shared many of the same characteristics. According to legend, Poseidon was the son of Cronus and Rhea, who were Titans, a race of giants that once ruled the world. Poseidon had two brothers, Zeus and Hades. The three brothers defeated the Titans and took power. Zeus became the supreme ruler, Poseidon became the god of the seas, and Hades became the lord of the underworld. From his palace in the sea or from Mount Olympus, Poseidon ruled over the oceans. It was believed that with his trident, which was a three-pronged spear, he stirred up storms and calmed the waves. He used his trident to shatter rocks as well, earning him a reputation as “earth-shaker,” or god of earthquakes. Poseidon was also honored by the Greeks for creating the horse and giving it to humankind. His own horses had golden manes and pulled his chariot over the sea. In ancient works of art Poseidon is sometimes shown riding on the backs of dolphins or carrying his trident. |