This is a learning module about the mythological story and background of the God Poseidon. It also includes a short summary of the Love Interest of Poseidon.

1. Poseidon (Greek Mythology) – Summary
Poseidon was one ofthe Twelve Olympians in the Greek Mythology. He was the God ofthe Sea,
Storms, Earthquakes and Horses. He was also the protectors ofall seafarers. The Greeks usually worship
him to have a calm sea, and if he was ignored or neglected, he can cause chaotic earthquakes, shipwrecks
or drowning.
He was the second son born ofCronus and Rhea, but he was swallowed by his own father, only to
be saved by his youngestbrother, Zeus. When Zeus deposed their father, he and his brothers divided the
empire ofhis father. He chose the underwater world, because itis full ofadventures and mystery.
Courtship with Thetis
Thetis, a sea-nymph, was chosen by Poseidon to be his queen in his underwater kingdom. He was
very eager to have Thetis as his wife. However, Themis, the Goddess ofJustice, have prophesied thatthe
child to be born from Thetis will be more powerful than his father. After knowing this, Poseidon had decided
not to take Thetis as his queen anymore.
Romance with Amphitrite
Poseidon was left sad for he does nothave any queen in his kingdom. He then saw a beautiful
Nereid or water nymph named Amphitrite. He quickly fell in love with her. To impress her, Poseidon created
sea creatures, such as octopus, squid, sea cow, jelly fish, puffer fish or blowfish, swordfish, and many

2. others. Amphitrite became the queen ofthe kingdom ofPoseidon. They had two children: Triton, a merman
and the Messenger ofthe Sea, and Rhodos, a goddess ofthe Rhodes Island and became the wife ofHelios
– the Sun God.
Love Interest with Demeter
One day, Demeter was strolling in a mountain pass, Poseidon chased her and said he love her.
Demeter does notknow what to do for Poseidon was very persistent. Butshe said that Poseidon will make a
gift for her, a land animal, the mostbeautiful creature that she has ever seen. Poseidon agreed on the
requestofDemeter. She knew in herselfthat Poseidon was only capable ofcreating monsters. Butshe was
very amazed, that Poseidon created a beautiful horse. Poseidon, himself, was very delighted in his own
creation, so he created another herd of horse.
Another story in the creation ofthe horse by Poseidon, states that Poseidon took a full week to
create a single horse. And after he showed itto Demeter, he created other land creatures, such as zebra,
donkey, camel,hippopotamus, elephant, giraffe, and others.
Another story is that Poseidon himself, chased Demeter. Afraid ofbeing caught by his brother,
Demeter transformed herselfinto a mare, a female horse, butPoseidon transformed himselfinto a stallion, a
male horse. Demeter hid herselfin the herd of Arkadian Onkios. Then they had two offsprings namely Arion,
a wild horse that could speak, and Despoena, a nymph and the goddess ofmysteries.
Rivalry between Poseidon and Athena
Cecrops, the first King ofAthens, had to find a God who will representthe city. Two of the Olympian
Gods who are willing to be the representative are Poseidon, and his niece, Athena, the Goddess ofWisdom.
Cecrops asked them to offer a gift, and the God that will offer the most valuable giftfor the city will be the
representative ofthe whole city. Poseidon was the first one to offer a gift. He used his tridentto struck the
hillside near the Acropolis and immediately water sproutoutthe land, but the water sproutwas actually salty
and it is not a valuable resource for the population. It was the turn ofAthena, she kneel down, and planted
an olive tree, and using her power, the tree suddenly grow high as a symbol ofpeace. Cecrops and the
citizens were very much amazed. So Cecrops decided thatAthena will be the representative ofthe land,
naming the city after her.
Affair with Thoosa
Thoosa, was a sea-nymph associated with swiftness. When Poseidon saw her, he was very much
attracted to her. Their affair bore a child named Polyphemus,a gigantic one-eyed Cyclops.