God
Poseidon
God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses in Greek mythology.
Poseidon is one of the twelve Olympian gods and the ruler of the seas in Greek mythology. Son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, he was swallowed at birth and later freed. After the defeat of the Titans, Poseidon received dominion over the seas by lot. He is also god of earthquakes, earning the epithet Ennosigaios (Earth-Shaker), and is credited with creating the horse. Poseidon wields a trident as his primary attribute.
Quick facts
- Pantheon
- Greek
- Figure type
- God
- Period
- Attested from the 8th century BCE; Linear B form Po-se-da-o confirmed at Pylos c. 1200 BCE
- Primary sources
- Hesiod Theogony 453–456; Homer Iliad 13.1–38; Apollodorus Bibliotheca 1.1.5–7; Homer Odyssey 1.68–75
- Related figures
- zeus, hades, amphitrite, triton, theseus, odysseus
Domain and attributes
When Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades defeated their father Cronus and the Titans, they divided the cosmos by lot. Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the seas (Homer Iliad 15.187–193). Poseidon dwelt in a golden palace beneath the sea (Iliad 13.21–22) and rode across the waves in a chariot drawn by golden-maned horses. His epithet Earth-Shaker (Ennosigaios) reflects the ancient Greek attribution of earthquakes to his power. He is also the credited creator of the first horse, which he produced by striking his trident against a rock during his contest with Athena for patronage of Athens (Apollodorus Bibliotheca 3.14.1).
Contest for Athens
A famous myth recorded by Apollodorus describes the contest between Poseidon and Athena for the patronage of Athens. Each deity offered the city a gift: Poseidon struck the Acropolis with his trident and produced a saltwater spring (or, in some versions, the first horse). Athena planted an olive tree. The gods or citizens judged Athena's gift more useful, and Athens was named after her. Poseidon in anger flooded the Attic plain.
Sources & further reading (2)
- primary-source — accessed 2026-05-06
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-06
Frequently asked questions
Why is Poseidon called Earth-Shaker?
In ancient Greek belief, earthquakes were attributed to Poseidon's power, giving him the epithet Ennosigaios (Earth-Shaker) or Enosichthon. Homer uses this title frequently in the Iliad and Odyssey. Ancient Greeks understood that many coastal regions prone to earthquakes were also near the sea, reinforcing the association between Poseidon's domain and seismic activity.
What is the trident of Poseidon?
The trident is the three-pronged spear that serves as Poseidon's primary attribute and weapon. It was crafted for him by the Cyclopes during the Titanomachy as a gift parallel to the thunderbolt given to Zeus. Poseidon uses the trident to strike the earth and cause earthquakes, to stir the seas into storms, and as a symbol of his divine authority over the waters.
