- According to myth, when Poseidon and his brothers Zeus and Hades overthrew their father, they drew lots to see who would gain responsibility for various parts of creation. Poseidon became guardian of the sea. The symbol of his power was the trident, a three-pronged spear that he used to control both land and sea. When Poseidon rode his chariot over the waters, the ocean grew still and the sea creatures rejoiced, but when he was angry, he summoned up winds and waves.
- As lord of the sea, one of Poseidon's primary duties was to control the fates of sailors. This didn't always mean protecting them. In Homer's "The Odyssey," Poseidon summoned storms to throw the tragic hero Odysseus off course after Odysseus refused to thank Poseidon for the Greek victory over the Trojans. If, however, sailors prayed to Poseidon and treated him with respect, they were reward with a safe voyage and favorable winds.
- Poseidon's power over the sea extended to all the water on Earth. Once, in an attempt to show that he would make a better guardian for the city of Athens than Athena would, he threw his trident at the ground and caused a spring to flow from the Acropolis. Athena, however, won the contest by providing an olive tree. Poseidon also flooded land with water whenever his wrath was aroused.
- Though he's known as the god of the sea, the name "Poseidon" actually translates to "husband of the earth," and Poseidon did have some responsibility over the land. He was worshiped even by people living away from the sea to prevent him from causing earthquakes. Poseidon is also revered as the god who gave horses to man. According to myth, he struck a rock with his trident and a horse sprung from the rock.
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