Britannica Web Sites
Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- Poseidon - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Poseidon was the god of the sea in ancient Greek mythology. According to legend, he was one of the 12 chief gods who lived on Mount Olympus. Poseidon also was said to have a palace under the sea. Poseidon’s main symbols were the dolphin and the trident (a three-pronged spear). The ancient Romans called Poseidon by the name of Neptune.
- Poseidon - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
In the religion and mythology of ancient Greece, Poseidon was the god of the sea and of water in general. Unpredictable and often violent, he frequently represented the destructive power of the sea and was also the god of earthquakes. He was closely associated with horses as well. In art, Poseidon was typically shown as a bearded man carrying a trident (a three-pronged fishing spear) and accompanied by a dolphin or a tuna. He traveled over the sea in a chariot pulled by creatures that had the heads and bodies of horses and the tails of fish. Poseidon was one of the 12 chief gods who lived on Mount Olympus. The Romans identified their god Neptune with Poseidon.