Poseidon — Ποσειδῶν: The King Of the Sea
From the “Ancient Greek Mythology Series” – The Foundation of the World
Hello there!
Did you know that the ideas present in Ancient Greece still live and perfectly function nowadays? The amount of similarities that a person can find even from the modern perspective of the world’s origin / operation is tremendously huge.
There are many examples of it: from the Big Bang, deceitful plexus of sly betrayals among Gods that are embodiment of human vices, or vice versa, to Plato’s ideas on the governmental structures in his works such as Republic.
Enough of that, today we will continue the journey, and our next stop is Gaia, or the Mother of Earth, or the mother of all life.
Poseidon — Ποσειδῶν: The King Of the Sea
“When I first notified Lord Father Zeus and other members of our family of your existence, Zagreus, it was Uncle Poseidon here who first leapt up, and pledged his power over sea and earth to you. Is that not so, Uncle?” — Athena
As Poseidon received his right to rule of seas, storms, and earthquakes, he started to do his job diligently, but always keeping an eye on his smaller brother – Zeus. It is possible to suggest that if Poseidon was older than Zeus, then, perhaps, he envied his little brother and wanted to occupy his throne?
Partly, yes. However, Poseidon was a loyal, truthful and grateful to his brother even though his temperament was not of the best kinds. Vain, stormy, restless and cruel was he, but never treacherous. Despite all his affection to his brother, there was still one thing: if Zeus’ power ever topple, Poseidon would take the reins in a blink of an eye.
The Cyclopes had created a weapon for Poseidon as well, as they had done before for Zeus, and his weapon turned to be a trident. This massive three-pronged fishing spear could be used to stir up tidal waves and whirlpools – even to make the earth tremble with earthquakes, which gave Poseidon the sobriquet ‘Earth Shaker’. An undoubted symbol of power was borrowed by many countries and cherished as a peril.
Interestingly enough, but most of the beautiful and impressing things that were created, were made for the sake of love. In the same way, Poseidon had a strong affection for his sister Demeter, whom he really wished to have.
Alike many modern young men who ask their fathers to borrow their expensive cars to take a girl out and impress her, Poseidon had an idea, which he implemented into reality after. He invented the horse to impress and please Demeter. And again, ironically to many real situations, he eventually lost his passion to Demeter, but the horse stayed with him from that moment for good.
Poseidon built a vast palace of coral and pearl under the sea, which we call nowadays the Aegean Sea. It was a massive kingdom where he also installed himself and his chosen consort, AMPHITRITE, a daughter of Nereus and Doris, or also known as Oceanus and Tethys.
She bore him a son under a name of Triton, who was a kind of merman, often pictured as the creature sitting on his tail and blowing with bulging cheeks into a large conch shell.
Poseidon took participation in many famous myths and legends, including Odyssey, for instance. His role was significant for Greeks, who did not neglect him and always treated with respect.
Poseidon’s Roman equivalent was NEPTUNE, whose giant planet is surrounded by moons that include Thalassa, Triton, Naiad, and Proteus.
For those with innate, unquenchable curiosity to explore:
Writer’s note:
Why do I write this? I have set a clear goal and challenge for myself to be consistent and learn new things as well as teach them. This journey is an obstacle for me more than for others. An opportunity to re-learn how to learn, acquire new information and not to stagnate having been affected with laziness and decay of human mind.
This month, precisely January, is the month of exploring Ancient Greek Mythology, which I am to take and kindly invite you to walk side by side with me.
If nothing happens, next project will be about Scandinavian Gods, perspective of the world, creation, and destruction of it, but… This is an issue of the future me, not this one.
I am grateful to anyone who reads it.