The Romans worshipped him as the god of horses and a patron watching over races, and in mythology Neptune and the goddess Minerva helped to create the chariot for man.Īs a god of fresh water, many Roman inscriptions have Neptune’s blessing near streams and springs, as a source of good luck and pure drinking water. Unlike Poseidon, Neptune was more apt to represent fresh water sources instead of the sea, and his connection to horses was more pronounced. Horses, dolphins, and bulls are all animals that are connected to Neptune, each with an aquatic element that lends to the power and presence of the sea. He is often depicted with the same three-pronged trident, but can sometimes be seen driving a seahorse-drawn chariot over the water. Are Neptune and Poseidon the same God?įor the Romans, Poseidon was known more fully as Neptune. Everything in these statues was symbolic, so Poseidon could be posing with a trident about to strike. For the Greeks and Romans, heroic nude was often the best way to showcase the physical power and prowess of the gods, and clothing was optional. Poseidon himself is always represented as a strong, bearded man, sometimes with a toga. We can owe the sailor’s fascination with anchor tattoos to early representations of this god. Many ancient inscriptions have depictions of water and waves as an homage to Poseidon, many of them used as good luck charms by sailors or families that had an interest in the seafaring lifestyle. The sheer force of water allows Poseidon have exceptional presence. For most of us, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the god of the sea is his trident, a powerful forked instrument.Īs well as this, Poseidon can be shown in the form of a horse made out of water, a powerful deity rampaging across the ocean and anything unlucky to be in his path. Greek gods often had many different symbols that were used to represent them on everything from boats to weapons. He could bring fair weather and good winds to those that gave him honor, so many motifs exist that represent Poseidon as both a giving and unforgiving god. Poseidon offered a place of refuge and someone to honor as a powerful protector.įor the Greeks, who were of seafaring inclination, Poseidon was a god that could control their fate, and he was respected highly by those who spent most of their time on the water. The mystery and power of the ocean has always fascinated us, and the ancients understood that they could not control the whims of something as “moody” as the ocean. Like the ocean, Poseidon is moody, either peaceful or raging, representing the two extreme dualities of personality. As one of the original three titans, he is a brother to Zeus and Hades. He is almost always represented as being incredibly powerful and confident. In Greek mythology, Poseidon is the god of the sea.
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