As you can see today’s object is a trident. A long, three-pronged fork or weapon,
especially a three-pronged spear used for fishing. It is the weapon
carried by Poseidon/Neptune. Poseidon is one of the 3
top gods in Greek mythology, brothers who divided the world among themselves.
Poseidon's lot was the sea. He is the god of water, horses, and earthquakes and
was considered responsible for shipwrecks and drownings. In the earliest poems, Poseidon is described as equal to Zeus in dignity, but weaker. Hence we find him angry when Zeus, by haughty words, attempts to intimidate him; he even threatens his mightier brother, and once he conspired with Hera and Athena to put him into chains. On the other hand, we also find him yielding and submissive to Zeus.
Powers
Poseidon was said to create giant tidal waves, storms, floods
whirlpools, and pretty much anything related to the sea from nowhere. When he
struck the water with his trident, a giant tidal wave would come rushing toward
you. This particular power was what everyone was afraid of. Sailors were always
worried that Poseidon might send out a tidal wave or storm to kill them. When
Odysseus and his crew got Poseidon angry, he drowned all of the sailors with
storms, sea monsters and a whirlpool. As the sea surrounds and holds the earth, he himself is described as the
god who holds the earth, and who has it in his power to shake the earth. Poseidon had the power to shape-shift. Like most of the gods and
goddesses, Poseidon could transform himself into any animal or mortal he chose.
He often took advantage of this power, making life difficult for those who
tried to escape or avoid him.
Minor powers
·
He could breath underwater
·
He could walk on water
·
He could create Horses out of Nowhere (fully armored
and ready for battle)
·
He could make springs come out of the ground
·
He could shape shift and transform others (as could
every other god and goddess, for this was a common ability)
·
He can summon water currents
Poseidon’s realm
The palace of Poseidon was in the depth of the sea near Aegae in Euboea,
where he kept his horses with brazen hoofs and golden manes. With these horses
he rides in a chariot over the waves of the sea, which become smooth as he
approaches, and the monsters of the deep recognise him and play around his
chariot. Generally he himself put his horses to his chariot, but sometimes he
was assisted by Amphitrite. But although he generally dwelt in the sea, still
he also appears in Olympus in the assembly of the gods.
Poseidon’s children
Tyro, a mortal woman, was in love with a river god named Enipeus. One
day, Poseidon, disguised himself as Enipeus and approached Tyro. From their
union were born, Pelias and Neleus. Poseidon was the father of Nauplius, the
founder of Nauplia. He was the father of many a great hero of the Greek
mythology, not all his children were human. Poseidon was the father of Arion, a
horse, which was the result of his most notorious love affair involving his
sister. Poseidon was attracted by Demeter who transformed herself into a mare
to avoid him. But with feelings of lust in mind, he transformed himself into a
horse and Arion was his son from her.
The walls of Troy
Poseidon was never satisfied with his share of the world and once even
conspired to dethrone Zeus. But his plot was discovered and in punishment Zeus
exiled him to earth. There he was to build the walls of Troy for king Laomedon.
He was helped by Apollo, who was also banished from Olympus at that time.
Apollo was able to move the heaviest of stones with just the sound of his lyre.
After the task was completed Laomedon refused to reward them as promised and
that was the chief reason why Poseidon was on the Greek side during the Trojan
War.
Horses
He is also known as the patron of horses. According to legend, he
pursued his sister Demeter and created the first horse as a gift to her. She
was supposed to have asked for the most beautiful animal in the entire world.
Seamen were said to sacrifice horses by drowning them to appease him.
Atlantis
According to legends, he is also the father of the king of the mythical
island of Atlantis. He produced 5 sets of twins with Cleito; and they became
the first kings of the enchanted island. The first born was Atlantis, who
presided over his brothers - and after whom the island was named.
An interesting video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0DLfFXd7cM
