Editing Poseidon (section)

===Linear B (Mycenean Greek) inscriptions===
If surviving Linear B [[clay tablet]]s can be trusted, the 
names ''po-se-da-wo-ne'' and ''Po-se-da-o'' ("Poseidon")<ref name=Posedao/> occur with greater frequency than does ''di-u-ja'' ("Zeus"). A feminine variant, ''po-se-de-ia'', is also found, indicating a lost consort goddess, in effect the precursor of [[Amphitrite]].{{original research inline|date=February 2025}}

Poseidon was the chief god at [[Pylos]]. The title ''wa-na-ka'' appears in the inscriptions. Poseidon was identified with ''wanax'' from the [[Homer]]ic era to classical Greece. ([[anax]]). The title didn't mean only king, but also protector. ''Wanax'' had chthonic aspects, and he was closely associated with Poseidon, who had the title "Lord of the Underworld". The chthonic nature of Poseidon is also indicated by his title ''E-ne-si-da-o-ne'' (Earth-shaker) in Mycenean [[Knossos]] and [[Pylos]]. Through [[Homer]] the epithet was also used in classical Greece. (ennosigaios, ennosidas).{{sfn|Dietrich|2004|pages=180-185}}

''[[Potnia|Po-tini-ja]]'' ([[potnia]]: lady or mistress) was the chief goddess at [[Pylos]] and she was closely associated with Poseidon. She was the Mycenean goddess of nature and Poseidon—''Wanax'' is one from the gods who may be considered her "male paredros". The ''earth shaker'' received offerings in the cave of the goddess of childbirth [[Eileithyia]] at [[Amnisos]] in [[Crete]]. Poseidon is allied with ''Potnia'' and the divine child.{{sfn|Dietrich|2004|pages=175–180, 220}}

''Wa-na-ssa'' ([[anassa]]:queen or lady) appears in the inscriptions usually in plural. (Wa-na-ssoi). The dual number is common in [[Indo-European studies|Indoeuropean]] grammar (usually for chthonic deities like the [[Erinyes]]) and the duality was used for [[Demeter]] and [[Persephone]] in classical Greece (the double named goddesses).<ref name=Stallmith>A.B. Stallmith in GRBS 18(2008) p.117,119, "The name of Demeter Thesmophoros".[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228370663_The_Name_of_Demeter_Thesmophoros/fulltext/0000835a0cf23f86393d507b/The-Name-of-Demeter-Thesmophoros.pdf p.116]</ref><ref name=Mylonas1>Mylonas, "Mycenean age", p.159: "Wa-na-ssoi, wa-na-ka-te, (to the two queens and the king). Wanax is best suited to Poseidon, the special divinity of Pylos. The identity of the two divinities addressed as wanassoi, is uncertain"</ref> ''Potnia'' and ''wanassa'' refer to identical deities or two aspects of the same deity.{{sfn|Dietrich|2004|pages=180-185}}

''E-ri-nu'' ([[Erinys]]) is attested in the inscriptions.<ref>Chadwick, [https://archive.org/details/mycenaeanworld00chad/page/98 p. 98].</ref> In some ancient cults ''Erinys'' is related to Poseidon and her name is an epithet of [[Demeter]].<ref name =Farnell/>

It is possible that Demeter appears as ''Da-ma-te'' in a Linear B inscription (PN EN 609), however the interpretation is still under dispute.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ventris |first1=Michael |last2=Chadwick |first2=John |title=Documents in Mycenean Greek |date=21 May 2015 |page=242 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-50341-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AkgPCAAAQBAJ}}</ref>{{sfn|Dietrich|2004|page=172 n. 218}} ''Si-to [[Potnia|Po-tini-ja]]'' is probably related with Demeter as goddess of grain.<ref name= Mylonas2>Mylonas, "Mycenean age", p. 159-161.</ref>

Tablets from Pylos record sacrificial goods destined for "the Two ladies and the Lord" (or "to the Two Queens and the King": ''wa-na-soi'', ''wa-na-ka-te''). ''Wa-na-ssoi'' may be related with [[Demeter]] and [[Persephone]], or their precursors, goddesses who were not associated with Poseidon in later periods.<ref name=Potniai>"In Greek popular religion, the chthonic ''Potniai'' (''Wanassoi'') and the ''Erinyes'' are closely related to the Eleusinian Demeter":Dietrich, p.179-180 [https://books.google.com/books?id=TZVsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA189 The origins of Greek religion 189-190]</ref><ref name=Mylonas1/>