Poseidon

Like his brothers and sisters, Poseidon was born full grown. His father, the Titan god Cronus, fearing a prophecy that one of his children would overthrow him, swallowed each of his newborn children to prevent the fulfilment of the prophecy. All that is except the sixth born Zeus, who was hidden away by their mother, the goddess Rhea, and grew up to liberate his siblings by tricking Cronus into drinking an emetic that made him vomit them out. Understandably miffed with their father, his offspring immediately made plans to get even for the way they had been treated and began a battle to remove Cronus from his throne. They were helped in battle by their allies, the one-eyed Cyclopes, who gave Zeus his thunderbolts, Hades his cloak of invisibility, and Poseidon the trident (a three-pronged spear) that is his most renowned symbol. After Poseidon and his brothers and sisters defeated the Titans and dethroned their father Cronus, the Greek gods held a lottery to determine which of the realms each would rule. Hades drew the Underworld, Poseidon won the oceans, and Zeus got the heavens, making him the supreme ruler. They agree to all share the power over the earth, though the greatest responsibility for it went to Poseidon. As dignified as the powerful Zeus, Poseidon at once began building a magnificent underwater palace and outfitted its stables with golden-maned white horses that would draw his golden chariot across the seas.

Poseidon was an honourable god -- you knew exactly where he stood of things, and when he gave his word he kept it. He had no time for those whose word could no be relied upon. When the king of Crete requested a gift from Poseidon, a fine bull to sacrifice, Poseidon generously sent him the very finest from his herd, so fine in fact that King Minos decided to keep it himself instead of sacrificing it. Poseidon was angry and caused the king's wife to fall in love with the bull. The eventual outcome of their love affair was the birth of a child, half-bull and half-human called the Minotaur. The monster had to be kept in the center of the labyrinth below the king's palace. Never quite satisfied with what he already had, Poseidon was always looking to expand his domain. Consequently he was often quarrelling and competing with the other Olympians. He rarely won these disputes. One of the most notorious episodes was his quarrel with the goddess Athena over who would "rule" the city of Athens. It was decided that there would be a competition and the one who gave the finest present to the people of the city would win. Poseidon stuck his trident (spear) into a rock, which split open and began to spew out water. Athena gave them an olive tree. Unfortunately for Poseidon the spring water was brackish and not much use, so Athena won. Angry with the citizens’ decision, Poseidon flooded the plains surrounding the city.

On the subject of Poseidon and his relationships with women . . . not a pretty picture. It is understandable that, as a fertility god, Poseidon would be every bit as lusty and sexually insatiable as his brother Zeus, if not more so. They both had numerous affairs and a great number of children resulted from their liaisons. But there was a difference. When Zeus desired a woman he usually made an effort to seduce her, either by courting her affection or by trickery. Poseidon, however, always used outright physical force to get his way. As a fertility god, Poseidon's spear symbolized his instinctual, primal, sexual energy and ability to impregnate. Poseidon was unsuccessful in his attempt to subjugate the virgin goddess Athena, the Greek goddess of war, who was able to physically repel him. In his attempt, however he spilt his semen on the ground and a child grew from it. Athena graciously agreed to provide a home for the child.

Poseidon eventually did manage to fall in love. As he watched the sea goddess dancing something stirred in him . . . yes, the usual sexual urges, but something else as well, something sensitive and tender. Never having learned any other way to approach a woman he desired, he used his usual methods. The devastated Amphitrite fled and hid herself from him at the bottom of the sea. Suddenly Poseidon realized that he had lost something truly special, the opportunity for union with a woman that was more than just physical. Even though he searched everywhere, he could not find her, and he was filled with sadness and a great sense of loss. His friend, Delphinus (Dolphin), volunteered to find her and plead Poseidon's case. And he succeeded, convincing Amphitrite of Poseidon's love and wish to make her his wife and the Queen of the Seas. Amphitrite was touched and returned with the Dolphin to marry Poseidon. She eventually bore two of his children. His son Triton rode with Poseidon in his chariot across the seas, trumpeting a sea shell to announce Poseidon's arrival wherever they went. Unfortunately, Poseidon soon returned to his womanizing, and there are many legends of the vengeance Amphitrite wreaked upon Poseidon's girlfriends. Jealous of Poseidon's attraction to the lovely Scylla, Amphitrite threw magical herbs into the water while Scylla was bathing, turning her into a hideous sea-monster with six heads, three rows of teeth, and 12 feet. Scylla was consigned to snatch sailors off their ships for her meals, and was greatly feared by all sea-going men.

Before setting out to sea, ancient mariners would pray and make offerings to the Greek god Poseidon, hoping to insure a safe and profitable journey. With the approach of Poseidon in his chariot, raging storms would calm, and the sea-monsters would rise to the surface swimming playfully around his chariot. However difficult and tumultuous Poseidon might have been, he reminds us to stay connected to the deep emotional and instinctual parts of our selves, however uncomfortable, or even painful it might be.


Personality

Moody - Poseidon was considered an unruly god who was often prone to temper tantrums and angry bouts of revenge.

Jealously - Poseidon was often jealous of Zeus's power and authority.

Honourable - You knew exactly where he stood of things, and when he gave his word he kept it.

Caring - Poseidon loved and cared for his children and he watched over them more than most of the other gods did, actively giving them advice, and aiding them indirectly. Interestingly, many of Poseidon's children ended up being monstrous half-breeds including the famous cyclops Polyphemus, the winged-horse Pegasus, and his merman son Triton. 

Greedy - Never quite satisfied with what he already had, Poseidon was always looking to expand his domain. Consequently he was often quarrelling and competing with the other Olympians.

Vindictiveness - Poseidon was quick to take offense, and made a hobby out of taking his revenge out on those who angered him.


Sacred Symbols and Animals

Trident -  His most renowned symbol and which he raises the waves and causes tides.

Earth - Shaker - Referring to his role in causing earthquakes.

Tamer of horses - he created the first horse from the crests of the waves.


Bull - Which is as aggressive as him.

Marine life - All of marine life is part of the sea, which Poseidon holds domain over.

None of this information belongs to me or has been written by me, expect for the casting face claim. The information collected belongs to these sources:  

Greek Mythology Wikia/Poseidon
Camp Half Wikia/Poseidon
Gods and Monsters website/Poseidon
Men Myths Minds/Poseidon