Poseidon is a deity of ancient Greece who rules over the seas, oceans, earthquakes and horses. He is best known for being quick tempered and would often manipulate the seas to reflect his raging emotions. Poseidon is also famously pictured with his trident (a three-pronged spear); the trident symbolizes his power over all water and so it is normally painted by his side. Furthermore, he is an Olympian, making him one of the 12 major Greek gods that live on Mount. Olympus. He and his brothers (Hades and Zeus) overthrew their tyrant father, Kronos, and helped Zeus become King of the Gods.
Unusually Poseidon is not the patron god of any major cities in Greece, so when a piece of land was available, he took the opportunity to become their patron god. This in turn started a rivalry between him and the goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena, who also wanted to become their patron. As a result, a contest entailed between the two. During this contest Poseidon struck his trident against a rock and summoned a giant tidal wave; the water took the shape of a completely original animal and Poseidon called it the horse. Whilst Athena grew a large olive tree, to which Poseidon scoffed at, and explained to the people that the oil from those olives could be very useful in cooking and bathing. The King proclaimed Athena as the winner and the land was named Athens in her honor.
- Isabella Podini
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