Episode 6 – Poseidon: The Might of the Sea God

 

🌊 Who Is Poseidon?

Poseidon, alongside Zeus and Hades, is one of the three main Olympian gods. He is the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. His wrath brought about quakes and tidal waves, while his favor promised prosperous sea voyages.

⚓️ Symbols and Powers

Poseidon's signature symbol is the trident. With it, he could split the sea, form islands, and stir earthquakes. He rides a chariot pulled by sea horses, embodying his dominion over the ocean realm.

📜 Episodes Featuring Poseidon

1. Competing for Athens:When Athens was choosing its patron deity, Poseidon struck a rock to create a saltwater spring, symbolizing trade and naval prosperity. Athena offered an olive tree—food, oil, and wood. The people chose Athena. Enraged, Poseidon threatened to flood the city. This story reflects his pride and emotional volatility.
2. Lesson: Practicality and sustainability often outlast grandeur.
3. Poseidon's Role in the Trojan War:Although he aided the Greeks, Poseidon's resentment for not being paid for building Troy's walls lingered. After the war, he punished Odysseus—who blinded his son Polyphemus—by delaying his return for ten years with storms and trials.
4. Lesson: In myth, gods are driven more by personal anger than justice. Divine wrath feels like an emotional wave.
5. Palace Under the Sea:Piercing the depths lies Poseidon's palace at Aegae, adorned with gold, coral, and gems. His son Triton, half-human and half-fish, blew a conch to calm the seas. The ocean was not just a realm, but a throne of power.
6. Earthquake in Icaria:When a region neglected Poseidon's worship, an earthquake followed. Ancient people saw this as his fury. He struck the earth with his trident to affirm his control over land and sea alike.
7. Interpretation: Natural disasters were perceived as divine emotional reactions.
8. Medusa’s Tragedy – Love or Violence?P. raped Medusa inside Athena’s temple. Athena punished Medusa—not Poseidon—by turning her into a monster. This story symbolizes sexual violence, divine hypocrisy, and the victimization of women in ancient myths.
9. The God of Horses:Poseidon created horses. He gifted a white stallion to King Minos of Crete. When Minos failed to sacrifice it, Poseidon retaliated by birthing the Minotaur—a monster symbolizing arrogance and divine defiance.

 

🌊 Comparing Sea Gods

Neptune, Poseidon’s Roman counterpart, emphasizes the horse imagery more than the sea. Both share dominion over water but with regional nuance.

🎥 Poseidon in Modern Culture

He appears as Percy Jackson’s father and a boss in God of War, embodying raw sea power in modern media.

📄 Character Notes

Character	Description
Poseidon	God of sea, earthquakes, and horses
Athena	Goddess of wisdom and war
Odysseus	Hero returning home post-Trojan War
Polyphemus	One-eyed giant, son of Poseidon
Triton	Half-fish son of Poseidon, sea trumpeter
Neptune	Roman sea god, counterpart to Poseidon