Editing Poseidon (section)

=== Epithets and attributes===
[[File:Poszeidón Epoptész.png|thumb|left|280px|Poseidon Epoptes]]

Poseidon had a variety of roles, duties and attributes. He is a separate deity from the oldest Greek god of the sea [[Pontus (mythology)|Pontus]]. In Athens his name is superimposed οn the name of the non-Greek god [[Erechtheus]] {{lang|grc|Ἑρεχθεύς}} (''Poseidon Erechtheus'').<ref>Walter Burkert (Peter Bing, tr.) ''Homo Necans'' 1983, p. 149 gives references for this observation</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=erexqe%2Fus&la=greek#lexicon| title=Ἑρεχθεύς}}</ref> 
In the [[Iliad]], he is the lord of the sea and his golden palace is built in Aegai, in the depth of the sea.<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hom.+Il.+13.21&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0134 Iliad 13.21] Nilsson Vol I p.446</ref> His significance is indicated by his titles ''Eurykreion'' ({{lang|grc|Εὐρυκρείων}}) "wide-ruling", an epithet also applied to [[Agamemnon]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hom.%20Il.%2011.751&lang=original| title=Iliad 10.751}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=eu%29rukreiwn&la=greek#lexicon| title=Εὐρυκρείων}}</ref> and ''Helikonios anax'' ({{lang|grc|Ἑλικώνιος ἄναξ}}), "lord of [[Helicon (mountain)|Helicon]] or Helike" <ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:abo:tlg,0012,001:20:404&lang=original Iliad 20.404].</ref> In Helike of Achaia he was specially honoured.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=%28Elikw%2Fnios&la=greek#lexicon| title=Ἑλικώνιος}}</ref> ''Anax'' is identified in Mycenaean Greek ([[Linear B]]) as ''wa-na-ka'', a title of Poseidon as king of the underworld. [[Aeschylus]] uses also the epithet ''anax'' <ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:abo:tlg,0085,004:131&lang=original| title=Seven against Thebes 131}}</ref> and [[Pindar]] the epithet ''Eurymedon'' ({{lang|grc|Εὐρυμέδων}}) "widely ruling".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0072%3Aentry%3Deu)rume%2Fdwn| title=εὐρυμέδων }}</ref>

[[File:DSC00363_-_Mosaico_delle_stagioni_(epoca_romana)_-_Foto_G._Dall'Orto.jpg|alt=See caption|thumb|right|280px|Poseidon- Neptune Detail from the "Mosaic of the Seasons", from the Roman era. [[Regional Archeological Museum Antonio Salinas]], [[Palermo]]).]]

Some of the epithets (or adjectives) applied to him like ''Enosigaios'' ({{lang|grc|Ἐνοσίγαιος}}), ''Enosichthon'' ({{lang|grc|Ἐνοσίχθων}}) (Homer) and ''Ennosidas'' ({{lang|grc|Ἐννοσίδας}}) (Pindar), mean "earth shaker".<ref name= Dietrich>Diedrich [https://books.google.com/books?id=rgWHB3QMB3sC&pg=185 p. 185 n. 305]</ref> These epithets indicate his [[chthonic]] nature, and have an older evidence of use, as it is identified in Linear B, as {{lang|gmy|𐀁𐀚𐀯𐀅𐀃𐀚}}, ''E-ne-si-da-o-ne''.<ref name=Earth_shaker>{{cite web |url=http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/mycen.html |title=Mycenaean Divinities |access-date=2 September 2006 |work=List of Handouts for Classics 315 |first=John Paul |last=Adams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001091024/http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/mycen.html |archive-date=1 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other epithets that relate him with the earthquakes are ''Gaieochos'' ({{lang|grc|Γαιήοχος}}) <ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dgaih%2Foxos| title=Γαιήοχος}}</ref> and ''Seisichthon'' ({{lang|grc|Σεισίχθων}}) <ref>{{LSJ|seisi/xqwn|σεισίχθων}}</ref>
The god who causes the earthquakes is also the protector against them, and he had the epithets ''Themeliouchos'' ({{lang|grc|Θεμελιούχος}}) "upholding the foundations",<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=qemeliou/xos&la=greek#lexicon| title=θεμελιούχος}}</ref> ''[[Asphaleius |Asphaleios]]'' ({{lang|grc|Ἀσφάλειος}}) "securer, protector" <ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=asfa%2Fleios&la=greek#lexicon| title=ἀσφάλειος.}}</ref> with a temple at [[Tainaron]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/sol/sol-entries/tau/206| title=Suda, tau, 206}}</ref> Pausanias describes a sanctuary of Poseidon near Sparta beside the shrine of Alcon, where he had the surname ''Domatites'' ({{lang|grc|Δωματίτης}}), "of the house"<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=dwmati%2Fths&la=greek#lexicon| title=δωματίτης}}</ref><ref>Pausanias, [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text? doc=Paus.+3.14.7&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:book=:chapter=&highlight=Poseidon3.14.7 3.14.7]</ref>

[[File:Pelike, red figure, 440-430 BC, Poseidon surprises Anymone, AM Agrigento, 121098.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Poseidon surprises Anymone near a spring. Attic pelike in red figure, circle of the [[Polygnotus]] Painter, 440-430 BC. Archaeological Museum of [[Agrigento]]]]

Homer uses for Poseidon the title ''Kyanochaites'' ({{lang|grc|Κυανοχαίτης}}), "dark-haired, dark blue of the sea".<ref>{{LSJ|kuanoxai/ths|Κυανοχαίτης}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0134%3Abook%3D20%3Acard%3D144| title=Iliad 20.144}}</ref> Epithets like ''Pelagios'' ({{lang|grc|Πελάγιος}}) "of the open sea",<ref>{{LSJ|pela/gios|πελάγιος}}</ref><ref>Nilsson Vol I p.449</ref> ''Aegeus'' ({{lang|grc|Αἰγαίος}}), "of the high sea" <ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=aigai%2Fos&la=greek#lexicon| title=Aἰγαίος}}</ref> in the town of [[Aegae (Euboea)|Aegae]] in [[Euboea]], where he had a magnificent temple upon a hill,<ref>[[Strabo]], ix. p. 405</ref><ref>[[Virgil]], ''[[Aeneid]]'' iii. 74, where [[Maurus Servius Honoratus|Servius]] erroneously derives the name from the [[Aegean Sea]]</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Schmitz |first=Leonhard |contribution=Aegaeus |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=William |title=Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology |volume=1 |page=24 |place=Boston |publisher=Little, Brown, and Company |year=1867 |contribution-url= http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0033.html |title-link=Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology }}</ref> ''Pontomedon'' ({{lang|grc|Ποντομέδων}}),<ref>{{LSJ|pontome/dwn|ποντομέδων}}</ref>" lord of the sea" (Pindar, [[Aeschylus]]) and ''Kymothales'' ({{lang|grc|Κυμοθαλής}}), "abounding with waves",<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=kumoqalh%2Fs&la=greek#lexicon| title=κυμοθαλής}}</ref> indicate that Poseidon was regarded as holding sway over the sea.<ref name=smith-steven/> Other epithets that relate him with the sea are, ''Porthmios'' ({{lang|grc|Πόρθμιος}}), "of strait, narrow sea" at [[Karpathos]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=po%2Frqmios&la=greek#lexicon| title=πόρθμιος}}</ref> ''[[Epactaeus]]'' ({{lang|grc|Ἐπακταῖος}}) "god worshipped on the coast", in [[Samos]],<ref>{{Cite DGRBM|author=Leonhard Schmitz |title=Epactaeus |url= https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0104:entry=epactaeus-bio-1&highlight=epactaeus |short=}}</ref> ''Alidoupos'', ({{lang|grc|Ἀλίδουπος}}) "sea resounding".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=)ali/doupos&la=greek#lexicon| title=Ἀλίδουπος}}</ref> The master of the sea who can cause devastating storms is also the protector of seafarers and he was given the epithet ''sōtēr'' ({{lang|grc|Σωτήρ}}), "savior".<ref name=Artemision/>

His symbol is the trident and he has the epithet ''Eutriaina'' ({{lang|grc|Εὐτρίαινα}}), "with goodly trident" (Pindar).<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=eutri/aina&la=greek#Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=eu)tri/aina-contents| title=εὐτρίαινα}}</ref> The god of the sea is also the god of fishing, and [[tuna]] was his attribute. At [[Lampsacus]] they offered fishes to Poseidon and he had the epithet ''phytalmios'' ({{lang|grc|φυτάλμιος}}) <ref name=Nilsson451>Nilsson Vol I p.451,452</ref> His epithet ''Phykios'' ({{lang|grc|Φύκιος}}), "god of seaweeds" at [[Mykonos]],<ref>{{LSJ|fu/kios|φύκιος}}</ref> seems to be related with fishing. He had a fest where women were not allowed, with special offers also to ''Poseidon Temenites'' ({{lang|grc|Τεμενίτης}}) "related to an official domain ".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dtemeni%2Fths| title=Τεμενίτης}}</ref> At the same day they made offers to ''Demeter Chloe'' therefore Poseidon was the promotor of vegetation. He had the epithet ''phytalmios'' ({{lang|grc|φυτάλμιος}}) at [[Myconos]], [[Troizen]], [[Megara]] and [[Rhodes]], comparable with ''Ptorthios'' ({{lang|grc|Πτόρθιος}}) at [[Chalcis]].<ref name=Nilsson451/><ref>{{LSJ|futa/lmios|φυτάλμιος}}</ref><ref>{{LSJ|pto/rqios| πτόρθιος}}.</ref>

[[File:Poseidon Polybotes Louvre F226.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Poseidon fighting the Giant Polybotes. Attic black-figure neck amphora by [[Swing Painter]], 540-530 BC, ca. 540 BC–530 BC. [[Louvre]], Paris.]]

Poseidon had a close association with horses. He is known under the epithet ''Hippios'' ({{lang|grc|Ἵππειος}}), "of a horse or horses" usually in Arcadia. He had temples at [[Lycosura]], [[Mantineia]], [[Methydrium]], [[Pheneos]], Pallandion.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=)/ippeios&la=greek#lexicon| title=ἲππειος}}</ref><ref>Nilsson Vol I p.448</ref>

At Lycosura he is related with the cult of Despoina.<ref>Pausanias [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Paus.+8.37.1 8.37.9–10]</ref> The modern sanctuary near [[Mantineia]] was built by Emperor [[Hadrian]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D8%3Achapter%3D10%3Asection%3D2| title=Pausanias 8.10.3}}</ref> In Athens on the hill of horses there was the altar of '' Poseidon Hippios'' and ''Athena Hippia''. The temple of Poseidon was destroyed by Antigonus when he attacked Attica.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D30%3Asection%3D4| title=Pausanias 1.30.4}}</ref> He is usually the tamer of horses (''Damaios'',{{lang|grc|Δαμαίος}} at Corinth),<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=damai%2Fos&la=greek#Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=*damai=os-contents| title=Δαμαῖος}}</ref> and the tender of horses ''Hippokourios'' {{lang|grc|Ἱπποκούριος}}) at Sparta, where he had a sanctuary near the sanctuary of ''Artemis Aiginea''.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D3%3Achapter%3D14%3Asection%3D2| title=Pausanias 3.14.2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=ippokou/rios&la=greek#lexicon| title=Ἱπποκούριος}}</ref> In some myths he is the father of horses, either by spilling his seed upon a rock or by mating with a creature who then gave birth to the first horse.<ref name="Burkert1985Poseidon" /> In Thessaly he had the title ''Petraios'' {{lang|grc|Πετραἵος}}, "of the rocks".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=petrai%2Fos&la=greek#lexicon| title=Πετραῖος}}</ref> He hit a rock and the first horse "Skyphios" appeared.<ref>Nilsson Vol I p. 447</ref> He was closely related with the springs, and with the strike of his trident, he created springs. He had the epithets ''Krenouchos'' ({{lang|grc|Κρηνούχος}}), "ruling over springs",<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=krhnou/xos&la=greek#lexicon| title=κρηνούχος}}</ref> and ''nymphagetes'' ({{lang|grc|Νυμφαγέτης}}) "leader of the nymphs" <ref>" Oceanus is the primeval water, the origin of all springs and rivers" : Nilsson Vol I p.450</ref> On the Acropolis of Athens he created the saltspring ''Sea of Erechtheus'' ({{lang|grc|Ἐρεχθηίς θάλασσα}}).<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+3.14.1&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=3:chapter=14&highlight=Erechtheis| title=Apollodorus 3.14.1}}</ref> Many springs like [[Hippocrene]] and Aganippe in Helikon are related with the word horse (hippos). (also Glukippe, Hyperippe). He is the father of Pegasus, whose name is derived from {{lang|grc|πηγή}}, (''pēgē'') "spring".<ref>Nilsson Vol I p.450-451</ref>

[[File:Poseidon Penteskouphia Louvre CA452.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Poseidon carrying a trident. Corinthian plate 550-525 BC, from Pentescouphia, [[Louvre]]]]

Epithets like ''Genesios'' {{lang|grc|Γενέσιος}} at [[Lerna]]<ref>{{LSJ|gene/sios|γενέσιος}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D2%3Achapter%3D38%3Asection%3D4| title=Pausanias 2.38.4}}</ref> ''Genethlios'' ({{lang|grc|Γενέθλιος}}) "of the race or family" <ref>{{LSJ|gene/qlios|γενέθλιος}}</ref> ''Phratrios'' ({{lang|grc|Φράτριος}}) "of the brotherhood",<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dfra%2Ftrios| title=φράτριος}}</ref> and ''Patrigenios'' ({{lang|grc|Πατριγένειος}}) <ref>Nilsson Vol I p.452</ref> indicate his relation with the genealogy trees and the brotherhood.

Other epithets of Poseidon in local cults are ''Epoptes'' ({{lang|grc|Ἐπόπτης}}), "overseer, watcher" at Megalopolis,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=e%29po%2Fpths&la=greek#lexicon| title=ἐπόπτης}}</ref> ''Empylios'' ({{lang|grc|Ἐμπύλιος}}), "at the gate " at [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=)empu/lios&la=greek#lexicon| title=ἐμπύλιος}}</ref> ''Kronios'' ({{lang|grc|Κρόνιος }})<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=kro%2Fnios&la=greek#lexicon| title=Κρόνιος}}</ref> (Pindar) and ''semnos'' ({{lang|grc|σεμνός}}), "august, holy"<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=semno%2Fs&la=greek#lexicon| title=σεμνός }}</ref> ([[Sophocles]]).

Some of Poseidon's epithets are related to festivals and athletic games including racing. At Corinth the [[Isthmian games]] was an athletic and music festival in honour of the god who had the epithet ''Isthmios'' ({{lang|grc|Ἴσθμιος}}). At Sparta there was the race ''in Gaiaochō''. ({{lang|grc|ἐν Γαιαόχῳ}}) <ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D3%3Achapter%3D21%3Asection%3D8 Pausanias 3.21.8].</ref><ref name="Nilsson447">Nilsson Vol I p.446- 448</ref> Poseidon ''Gaiēochos'' ({{lang|grc|Γαιήοχος}}) had a temple near the city beside an [[Hippodrome]].<ref>contest at Sparta : [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dgaih%2Foxos Γαάοχοι]</ref> At [[Mantineia]] and Pallandion in Arcadia the ''Hippokrateia'' ({{lang|grc|Ἱπποκράτεια}}) were athletic games in honour of Poseidon ''Hippeios'' ({{lang|grc|Ιππειος}}). At [[Ephesus]] there was a fest "Tavria" and he had the epithet ''Taureios'' ({{lang|grc|Tαύρειος}}), "related with the bull".<ref>{{LSJ|tau/reios|ταύρειος}}</ref><ref name=Nilsson447/>