Son of Kronos and Rhea, Poseidon is one of the six original Olympians. Commonly referred to as "Earth Shaker"(Michael Stewart), Poseidon is the god of the sea and was believed to be responsible for earthquakes and storms.
Poseidon is mentioned numerous times throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey. In the Iliad Poseidon supports the Akhaians fight against the Trojans.(Michael Stewart) Defying Zeus, Poseidon secretly takes the form of a mortal and joins the Akhaians army, rising through the ranks and urging them to keep their courage up. When Zeus finds out about this he orders Poseidon to return to Olympus, which he reluctantly does out of respect for Zeus.(Michael Stewart)
Poseidon also plays a major role in Homer's, The Odyssey.The Odyssey tells the tale of Odysseus's journey home after the Trojan war, which Poseidon complicates immensely. Poseidon has two children and one lover who sought to kill Odysseus. Charybdis is "a sea monster who almost destroyed Odysseus"(Gale World History).Also, there is Scylla, a sea nymph lover of Poseidon who become a sea monster and tried to kill Odysseus.(Gale Wold History). Lastly there Poseidon's Cyclops son Polyphemus."Polyphemus also threatened Odysseus on his voyage home. When Odysseus blinded the giant, he became a target of Poseidon's hatred."(Gale World History) For Blinding Polyphemus Odysseus is cursed and Poseidon prolongs Odysseus's return home.
Works Cited
Sculpture of Poseidon. Digital image. World History In Context. N.p., 2009. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
Stewart, Michael. "Poseidon", Greek Mythology: From the Iliad to the Fall of the Last Tyrant. http://messagenetcommresearch.com/myths/bios/poseidon.html (November 14 2005)
"Poseidon." UXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 848-854. World History in Context. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
Poseidon also plays a major role in Homer's, The Odyssey.The Odyssey tells the tale of Odysseus's journey home after the Trojan war, which Poseidon complicates immensely. Poseidon has two children and one lover who sought to kill Odysseus. Charybdis is "a sea monster who almost destroyed Odysseus"(Gale World History).Also, there is Scylla, a sea nymph lover of Poseidon who become a sea monster and tried to kill Odysseus.(Gale Wold History). Lastly there Poseidon's Cyclops son Polyphemus."Polyphemus also threatened Odysseus on his voyage home. When Odysseus blinded the giant, he became a target of Poseidon's hatred."(Gale World History) For Blinding Polyphemus Odysseus is cursed and Poseidon prolongs Odysseus's return home.
Works Cited
Sculpture of Poseidon. Digital image. World History In Context. N.p., 2009. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
Stewart, Michael. "Poseidon", Greek Mythology: From the Iliad to the Fall of the Last Tyrant. http://messagenetcommresearch.com/myths/bios/poseidon.html (November 14 2005)
"Poseidon." UXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 848-854. World History in Context. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.