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Poseidon

In Greek mythology, Poseidon is the god of sea, horses and earthquakes and the brother of Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus. Along with Zeus and Hades they have decided the world in three parts. Poseidon became the ruler of the sea, Zeus ruled the sky and Hades the underworld. The symbols associated with Poseidon include: dolphins, tridents and three-pronged fish spears.

Poseidon was 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. However, Poseidon 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.

Poseidon had many similarities to Zeus regarding his love affairs and he also had numerous partners and many children. 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. Other offspring of Poseidon include Eumolpus, the Giant Sinis, Polyphemus, Orion, King Amycus, Proteus, Agenor and Belus from Europa, Pelias and the King of Egypt, Busiris.

Poseidon 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.

Poseidon and Athena, the goddess of war, were involved in a competition for the city of Athens. To win the people of the city over, Poseidon threw a spear at the ground and produced the Spring at the Acropolis while Athena gave them an olive tree and won. To show his anger over the decision Poseidon flooded the Attic Plain but eventually both gods worked in unity by combining their powers. Even though Poseidon was the god of horses, Athena built the first chariot and first ship to sail on the sea ruled by Poseidon.

Poseidon the Greeks during the Trojan and was cooperative at times although he could also use his powers to punish or revenge people by causing earthquakes, floods and tempests.