This is a challenge to post every day in April (except on Sundays) blogging thematically from A to Z. Go HERE for details. My A-Z theme this year is Greek Mythology inspired by the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan that I recently read. Please be aware that what I writeis my interpretation of my findings and may not necessarily be accurateare straight quotes.
Also, "Featured Book" at the end of these posts are books I've reviewed in this book blog, coinciding with the letter of the day.
Poseidon from Milos, 2nd century BC
(National Archaeological Museum of Athens)
Poseidon:
- One of the twelve Olympian deities of the pantheon in Greek mythology.
- His main domain is the ocean, and he is called the "God of the Sea".
- Additionally, he is referred to as "Earth-Shaker" due to his role in causing earthquakes, and has been called the "tamer of horses".
- He is usually depicted as an older male with curly hair and beard.
- Relied upon by sailors for a safe voyage on the sea. Many men drowned horses in sacrifice of his honor.
- He lived on the ocean floor in a palace made of coral and gems and drove a chariot pulled by horses.
- He was a very moody divinity and his temperament could sometimes result in violence. When he was in a good mood, Poseidon created new lands in the water and a calm sea. In contrast, when he was in a bad mood, Poseidon would strike the ground with a trident and cause unruly springs and earthquakes, ship wrecks and drownings.
- He once married a Nereid, Amphitrite, for whom he created the islands called Paxi by hitting his trident on the southernmost part of Corfu. With Amphitrite he produced Triton who was half-human and half-fish.
- He also impregnated the Gorgon Medusa to conceive Chrysaor and Pegasus, the flying horse.
- The rape of Aethra by Poseidon resulted in the birth of Theseus and he turned Caeneus into a man, at her request, after raping her.
- Another rape involved Amymone when she tried to escape from a satyr and Poseidon saved her.
- He was in love with his sister Demeter who kept resisting. Once she turned herself into a mare to avoid him but this resulted in the opposite results when he became a stallion and captured her. Their procreation resulted in a horse called Arion.
Sources:
Greek Islands
Wikipedia
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Featured Book:
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
My rating: 3.5
Posts
I actually used to be obsessed with Poseidon. He is portrayed as Triton in The Little Mermaid. I love all things Disney ;).
ReplyDeletemy blog:morgankatz505.blogspot.com
Those gods are a weird bunch. ;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Okay, the horses as sacrifice is disturbing to me. But then animal sacrifices in general are disturbing to me. Whichever religion.
ReplyDeleteThe Greeks were so imaginative with their Gods. The statues always seem to radiate a sense of presence and power to me.
Interesting post. Happy A to Z
Yeah, not just the horse sacrifice. Rape, incest. I agree with Dana's assessment.
ReplyDeleteAh well...
That wicked, incestuous Poseidon! He and his cohorts made such mess of things. You wonder how the ancients put up with all that scandal. Oh, wait! They loved scandal and all that wicked stuff, didn't they?
ReplyDeleteInteresting Poseidon facts. I only know of him from the God Of War games but this finally explains him taking the form of a water horse.
ReplyDeleteShawn at Laughing at Life 2
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ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating topic for the A to Z! Man, those Greek gods were some messed-up characters. :) I LOVED Pippi Longstocking when I was little, by the way. Definitely one of my favorite books. :)
ReplyDeleteJaimie at Living in the Light
A to Z Ambassador
Yet more great facts, thanks.
ReplyDelete