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Poseidon, A Great God

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“About Poseidon, a great god, I begin to sing, the shaker of the earth and of the barren sea” (Morford, Lenardon, and Sham, 171). Poseidon in Greek Mythology, or Neptune in Roman Mythology, is the God of the Earthquakes and of the Seas. He is known for his “severe and rough” nature and is associated with “the surge of the seas” (Morford, Lenardon, and Sham, 171). Poseidon is often underrepresented in myth but his role is pivotal due to the fact that he ruled the earth and the seas. Travel via the sea was essential in the spreading of culture during this time period and worship to Poseidon played an important role. Poseidon was born from Cronus and Rhea and is the brother of Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus. Initially after his birth he was consumed by Cronus because he had heard about a prophecy that one of his children was going to take the throne. Eventually, through a story of events, Poseidon was thrown up along with his other siblings. Poseidon became an ally of Zeus in the Titanomachy and the Gigantomachy and eventually was given his power during the casting of lots. The Greek name, Poseidon possibly comes from posis, meaning ‘husband, lord’ and da, meaning ‘earth’ (Behind the Name). The Roman name, Neptune is from “unknown meaning but is possibly related to the Indo-European root, nebh, which means ‘wet, damp, or clouds’ ” (Behind the Name). Poseidon possesses many cultic aspects, including the one that was touched upon earlier, which is the aspect of prayer.

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