Immortal Monday ~ Poseidon – Not The Hollywood Version

Immortal Monday is back! Did you miss me? I apologize for the absence, but the gods are powerful and being out on the Pacific Ocean gave the god Poseidon the upper hand where my internet connections were concerned. Never the less, he was good to me and my family, and saw that we had beautiful calm seas for our voyage. For this reason we honor him on today’s Immortal Monday.

What do you think of when you hear the name Poseidon? Do you think of a fine fit young Kellan Lutz, an old hairy Jack Gwillim, or something in between such as Kevin McKidd or Danny Huston? Whatever your image of Poseidon, however godly and romantic, picture it now and burn it into your memory because the things you learn today may change your image of the great and mighty son of Kronos (Cronus).

Poseidon, a god of fertility and seduction was born brother to Zeus and Hades. When their mother, Rhea, gave birth to Poseidon and his siblings (seven children in total), Kronos feared one of them would be the one to eventually fulfill the prophecy and overthrow him. In order to protect himself he swallowed the children whole. All, save one. Rhea hid the sixth born, Zeus. It would be Zeus who would later return and free his siblings by tricking Kronos into drinking until he vomited each of them out.

Angered by their treatment, the siblings allied with the Cyclopes going to battle against Kronos. It is at this time that the Cyclopes bestowed Zeus with his thunderbolts, Poseidon with his Trident and Hades with the cloak of invisibility. The items they would become so well known for.

With Kronos eventual defeat, a lottery was held by the Greek gods to determine which brother would rule which realm. As it came to pass, Hades became ruler of the Underworld, Poseidon got the oceans and Zeus drew the heavens, thereby making him the supreme ruler. It was decided that the earth would be shared among them, with the greatest responsibility falling to Poseidon.  Poseidon was quick to build a magnificent palace at the bottom of the ocean. There he stabled his golden-maned white horses that pulled his golden chariot across the seas.

So far it’s sounding like you would expect, right? Well, Poseidon was a powerful god and he had a little trouble playing second fiddle to his brother Zeus. In fact, he didn’t like being put in second, to the side or anywhere other than front and center, so it would seem. Being a major player wasn’t enough for him when it came down to it. He wanted to be “The Player.”

This desire lead him to attempt an overthrow of Zeus in the early years, when Zeus still ruled with a touch of arrogance. For his attempt and failure Zeus banished Poseidon to Troy where he helped the King build the great walls while disguised as a human. The King had promised to reward the gods with vines of gold for help with the wall. When the King later refused to deliver on his promise, Poseidon sent a giant sea monster on Troy out of vengeance. Hercules later killed the monster.

Now, I don’t know about you, but that sounds a little like someone in need of anger management classes. What do you think? I’m guessing Zeus and Poseidon weren’t so chummy after that and you wouldn’t see them hanging out side by side like you did in Immortals. But Hollywood always likes to twist the tale to fit their needs. It makes for fun movies. And let’s face it, in the case of Kellan, lovely eye candy! But, Poseidon probably wasn’t making any nose dives into the sea from the heavens. That’s my guess anyway.

Kellan… I mean Poseidon often found himself angered to the point of destruction. Most notable would be the time he and Athena volleyed for rulership over Athens. Leaving the decision to the people Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, springing water from the ground. Unfortunately, it was sea water and undrinkable to the people. Athena granted the people an olive tree, thus giving the people food and wood, something they could use. Once again, letting his anger get the best of him, Poseidon let the sea fill the city.

He often found himself fighting with the other gods, yearning to stretch his power into other regions to grab more control. But more times than not he lost. Poseidon remained controller of the sea, husband to the earth and shaker of the earth for he could control its movements.  But I’m not trying to make him sound all bad. He was a very honorable god. Although he kept trying to expand his position, he knew where he stood and when he gave his word he always kept it. He had no respect or time for those who could not offer the same.

Did I mention fertility god? Yeah, there was something about that. He was sexually insatiable! He made the rounds and had plenty of children like his brother Zeus. But unlike his brother he rarely took the time to seduce a woman, he took what he wanted. That’s right – physical force – anyway he could get it. He was a bad boy and by today’s standards he’d be locked up in the pen.

Athena had been able to reject his advances because of her own goddess powers. Poseidon bedded Medusa in Athena’s temple to get back at her. In anger for defiling one of her temples, Athena cast Medusa into the hideous serpent we have all come to know.  Poseidon didn’t know or understand love until he met Amphitrite.  It would take some convincing for her to believe he was serious but they would eventual marry and she would become a jealous and vindictive wife when Poseidon would later return to his womanizing ways. –Scoundrel –

Although there are many myths that paint our featured immortal in a negative light, he had his good qualities. But like the news, all you hear is the bad. He was a powerful, competitive, decisive and dignified god. One had to take to stay on Poseidon’s good side for he could be rather moody and take offense rather quickly. He would then make it a hobby of taking revenge. But he also saw that the land remained fertile and that sailors saw safe travels across the oceans. Two responsibilities not to take lightly.

Kellan Lutz
Kevin McKidd
 

Danny Hudson
 

Jack Gwillim

Is there someone else you have in mind that better suits the role of this hot tempered immortal? Cast the name out in the comments, we’d love to hear it.

 
  • The information noted in this post is just a fraction of the myths and legends to be found on Poseidon. The most relevant were chosen to keep the length within reason. For further information of the Greek god a wider search is recommended. Please see the disclaimer on the top tab regarding any information listed in this post. Thank you.

I love hearing from you! If you enjoyed this post or any of my previous posts, I’d be delighted to have you follow by email or RSS for any future posts! Wouldn’t want you to miss out on an Immortal Monday installments.

Related posts:

    

37 thoughts on “Immortal Monday ~ Poseidon – Not The Hollywood Version”

  1. Coleen PatrickColeen Patrick

    Did Poseidon always have abs like that? 🙂 I’ve been a fan of mythology since Latin class Freshman year in high school. My teacher spent a good part of class telling us the stories, and he had no problem discussing sex. Now he’d probably get in trouble for it, but that class sure was popular!!

  2. Jennette Marie PowellJennette Marie Powell

    Wow, a lot of research here – thanks for sharing! I voted for “we need a chick in charge” LOL though I don’t know who. Those gods spent too much time chasing skirts!

  3. Stephen T. HarperStephen T. Harper

    Love these immortal posts, Debra! But this one was my favorite. Excellent work.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you Stephen! That is really nice to hear. IM was created to ultimately support my platform and book, since it deals with immortals. My voice is to reach out to the YA reader. It has been a lot of fun to do and can be used to support fellow writers who have immortals in their work they would like to introduce.

  4. August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin

    Ha! Chicks are in the lead! Oops, sorry. Hope I didn’t sway any voters.

    When I think of Poseidon I think of grade school… where we read about gods and goddesses. But no one in our texts or classrooms looked like THAT. LOL Another fab post, Debra!

  5. Louise BehielLouise Behiel

    Great work on this immortal, Debra. I am not very familiar with Poseidon or greek mythology so this was a lovley intro. I think the photos helped … alot.

  6. MelindaMelinda

    Love it! I love the Poseidon Horses pic. Never saw him pictured like that before, but I like it :-D. I’ve always been fascinated by the Greek myths; keep them coming!

  7. Debra KristiDebra Kristi

    LOL! You are all great! Pictures are a wonderful way to start the day, aren’t they? I’ll have to do a post for the fellas though. Maybe one on Underworld since the new movie is coming out. I told the hubby I might consider switching sides for Kate Beckinsale, if she would wear that costume all the time. Ha ha. He had no problem with that. A girl power post is overdue.

    Speaking of girl power and chicks being in charge… in doing my research I ran across some information where there were a few stone tablet with a female version of the Poseidon name leaving researchers to wonder if there was another queen to Poseidon at one time. It’s a curious thought.

    Melinda – I’m not surprised you like that picture. It reminds me of your horse statue in that Friday fiction piece you wrote. I love those horses – so cool!
    Thank you all for your comments.

  8. Jennifer L. OliverJennifer L. Oliver

    Debra,
    I love your Immortal Monday posts! And you always provide the best pictures too. *grins*
    Greek mythology has fascinated me since elementary school. There are so many wonderful stories about the gods. Thanks for sharing this one!
    Jennifer

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Glad the picture made you grin. 😀 I aim to please here on IM.

  9. Krystal Wade (@KrystalWade)Krystal Wade (@KrystalWade)

    Kevin McKidd makes the best LOOKING Poseidon. Kevin McKidd is also someone I built a character in my novel off of. Not immortal though. 😉

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Yay! I’m with you on that one. Can’t wait to read about this character in your novel. I need to get better about my reading list. Adding that to my Row80 list. LOL

  10. Natalie HartfordNatalie Hartford

    Fantastic post. I get absolutely enthralled with them. So well written and interesting. LOVE IT!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you Natalie! I’m glad to hear all his raping and fighting kept you interested. LOL He was a bad, bad boy. *snickers*

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thanks Prudence. Super nice of you to say so. 🙂

  11. Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

    Yes. I have a name. Ian Somerhalder would work for me. Of course I’d probably watch Green Acres reruns if he were the star, too. 🙂

    I’m learning a lot from your Immortal Monday’s, Debra! Great one today (and LOVE the pics!). It’s always a good thing to turn on the computer and see a sexy butt… I meant chest. Really. I meant chest! 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      He’s already got an immortal position – as one incredibly hot and sexy vampire. Don’t worry Kristy. We will cover him. I promise!

      Would you tune in if all I had were pictures and no info? Just curious. LOL It would save me a lot of work and time. 😀

      Sexy chest. Ah, yeah. Sure. LOL Come on, Now that is a great picture. You should have seen it BEFORE I edited it for the public’s viewing.

      • Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

        Would I tune in if all you posted were pictures of Ian Somerhalder? Uh- Let me think about that for a minute. Yes. Yes, I’m pretty sure I WOULD. 😀

        And yes. The sexy b….CHEST picture IS a great one! :p

  12. Tameri EthertonTameri Etherton

    That first picture is creeeeepy! I’ll take Kellen any day. Wow, there is way more to Poseidon than I ever imagined. Great recap of him, but now I want to know more!

  13. Debra KristiDebra Kristi

    I am guessing this is based on Poseidon’s notorious vengeance streak. It was said he followed Odysseus for eight years, causing earthquakes, storms at sea and throwing sea monsters at him and his crew for having blinded Poseidon’s gigantic Cyclops son. Little did Poseidon care that the Cyclops and his mates had shipwrecked Odysseus and his crew, looted the ship and were planning on eating them all for lunch.

    Hope that little extra help quench your thirst a bit. Thanks Tameri!

  14. T.F.WalshT.F.Walsh

    Poseidon is probably my favorite mythical being… The post is excellent and I learnt something new today:) I’ll be coming back for your Monday posts:)

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Glad I could be educational! I aim to please. 🙂 I like to add sugar (pretty pictures) with my spice (myths and legends). I’d love to have you come back. I cover all kinds of things immortal, the gods among them. You never know what the next Monday might have in store. 😉

  15. Emma BurcartEmma Burcart

    Um, how did I miss a movie with Kellan Lutz without a shirt? I need to put that on my movie list pronto! I always thought of Poseidon from the myths we read in high school, not like some muscled heart throb. But, I’ll change that image now! Thanks for the fun post.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      You’re welcome Emma! Makes you wonder though if Hollywood didn’t decide to make Poseidon the heart throb we find in all the searches today. After all, Zeus was able to seduce all those women, yet Poseidon took them by force. Was this because he lacked social skills or because he wasn’t much to look at? Hmm.

  16. susielindaususielindau

    Very fun post!! That first photo is pretty wild!!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thanks Susie. It’s an eye catcher, isn’t it. 🙂

  17. ElisaElisa

    I LOVE Poseidon. My YA fantasy (that’s coming out in March) is about Poseidon :0) I had a blast writing about the ocean!

    P. S. I call Poseidon “Tarus” in my book. Can I say again how much I LOVE this post?! 😉

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      😀 I’m so happy to hear you say that Elilsa! I’m glad his bad boy ways didn’t turn you off. Or did they turn you on? *snickers* I can’t wait for your next book to come out. I saw them all pictured on your website. Very cool!

  18. DaraDara

    I’ve read & researched a lot about him & I think Danny Huston resembles his description best. I don’t know why he is often pictured with white hair & beard, which is absolutely wrong. Despite being older than Zeus, he was the one with dark hair & beard. Ian McShane’s Blackbeard in Pirates of Caribbean would make a great Poseidon in my opinion.

    The casting of Immortals was miserable anyway. None of the gods looked like them. I didn’t even notice Hercules was in the movie until I surprisingly saw his name listed in the cast.

    I think the best, accurate portrait I’ve seen up to now is the way he is depicted in the video game series God of War… & yes he did nose dive from the heavens to the oceans, causing violent tides/tsunamis. That is definitely one of his signature moves.

    the article is good though overall. Keep it up.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Hi Dara! It’s nice to have someone here that knows a lot more on the subject. I, too, was surprised to see that Hercules was among the cast of Immortals. They really down played that one.

      I was thinking about Poseidon’s noise dive to save Theseus in Immortals when I wrote that line. I clearly haven’t done as much research on the subject as you, but what I did read failed to mention the famous dives. Thank you for providing the information. What a dramatic way to cause all those famous tides and tsunamis.

      I really appreciate you taking the time to stop in and comment. Thank you Dara

      Reply
      February 10, 2012
  1. Immortal Monday on the Epirus Bow and Mount Tartarus | Debra Kristi's Blog
  2. A Father of Fathers : Zeus – Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi's Blog
  3. Creatures and Gods and All Things Greek! ~ Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi's Blog
  4. Snakes and Stone, Medusa: Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi
  5. The Ancient God Hyperion - Immortal Monday - Debra Kristi
  6. The Colossal Cetus – Immortal Monday - Debra Kristi

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge