Qwiz5 Quizbowl Essentials — Poseidon

Poseidon is the ancient Greek god of the sea. Other areas under his patronage include earthquakes, storms, and horses. Born of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, Poseidon helped his siblings overthrow his tyrannical father. Following the Titans’ defeat, Poseidon and his two brothers Zeus and Hades divided up the heavens, the underworld, and the sea between themselves. Poseidon is a pivotal character in many Greek myths, and he appears in Roman mythology as well under the name Neptune. Jump on into this guide on Poseidon; the water’s fine!  

By analyzing questions, you can see patterns emerge, patterns that will help you answer questions. Qwiz5 is all about those patterns. In each installment of Qwiz5, we take an answer line and look at its five most common clues. Here we explore five clues that will help you answer a tossup on Poseidon. 

RHODES

According to some legends Poseidon was not devoured by his father Cronus, but rather spirited away at the last second by his mother Rhea. These legends hold that Poseidon spent his childhood on the island of Rhodes. While there, he was raised by the goddess Kapheira, with the assistance of a legendary race of craftsmen known as the Telchines. Poseidon would later become the King of the Telchines, and they constructed his famous trident. 

THE SALT SPRING

Poseidon engaged in contests with many of his fellow gods. One such contest, between Poseidon and Athena, was held to determine which god would be the patron of Athens. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, causing a salt spring to emerge from the ground. Athena, however, gave the Athenians an olive tree, something they deemed slightly more useful than non-potable water. The spring was enclosed in a place of honor within The Temple of Erechtheion on the Athenian Acropolis to appease the jealous Poseidon. 

THE WALLS OF TROY

Poseidon could hold a grudge, as the people of Troy would discover. Zeus had punished Poseidon and Apollo for a failed uprising against him, condemning them to serve King Laomedon of Troy. According to legend, Poseidon helped to build Troy’s impressive walls. When Laomedon refused to repay him and Apollo, however, Poseidon sent a sea monster to destroy the city. Even after that, the god would hold a grudge--Poseidon supported the Greeks during the Trojan War. 

AMPHITRITE

Amphitrite was Poseidon’s wife. She was long associated with the sea, being one of the most prominent Nereids. The Nereids were sea nymphs, born of Nereus and Doris. Amphitrite initially fled Poseidon when he proposed marriage to her, but Delphin, the dolphin-god, convinced her to return to the sea king. 

CAENEUS

Like many Greek gods Poseidon was not a faithful partner. He slept with many women and had many children, among them the cyclops Polyphemus. One woman, however, refused to bear Poseidon’s child after he forced himself on her. That woman, Caenis, demanded Poseidon change her into a man after his assault. Poseidon transformed her into Caeneus, a legendary warrior with impenetrable skin.

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Quizbowl is about learning, not rote memorization, so we encourage you to use this as a springboard for further reading rather than as an endpoint. Here are a few things to check out: 

• Although Poseidon viewed the Telchines fondly, others had less rosy views of them.

• Poseidon is directly responsible for the creation of one of the most vicious monsters of Greek mythology. 

  
  

• Read this article to go a little more in-depth regarding Poseidon’s role in the Titanomachy, as well as how he was responsible for the creation of Medusa.

  
  

• Although Poseidon supported the Greeks during the Trojan War not all his children did.

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