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POSEIDON (NEPTUNE) Links to all 12 Olympians When the three brothers drew lots to divide the rule of the universe, the earth and Olympus belonged jointly to the three, and Zeus was acknowledged as king. Although the Olympians shared the rule of the earth, they vied among themselves to be recognized as patron deities of particular regions. Poseidon participated in more of these contests than any other Olympian. When Poseidon was not on Olympus, he spent most of his time in the sea. He owned a watery palace and drove a two-horse chariot through the waves. He was the ruler of the sea, Zeus' brother and second only to him in eminence. The Greeks on both sides of the Aegean were seamen and the God of the Sea was all important to them. His wife was Amphitrite, a granddaughter of the Titan, Ocean. Poseidon had a splendid palace beneath the sea, but he was more often to be found in Olympus. Besides being Lord of
the Sea he gave the first horse to man, and he was honored as much for the one
as for the other.
Storm and calm were under his control: He commanded and the storm wind rose
But when he drove in his golden car over the waters, the thunder of the waves sank into stillness and tranquil peace followed his smooth-rolIing wheels. He was commonly called "Earth-shaker"and was always shown carrying his trident, a three-pronged spear, with which he would shake and shatter whatever he pleased. He had some connection with bulls as well as with horses, but the bull was connected with many other gods too.
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KEY TEST WORDS: (Know the material behind these items.)
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Poseidon activity
The Olympians