AMPHITRITE - Greek Goddess & Nereid Queen of the Sea Amphitrite Encircling Third Poseidon and Amphitrite, Greco-Roman mosaic C4th A.D., Musée du Louvre AMPHITRITE was the goddess-queen of the sea, wife of Poseidon, and eldest of the fifty Nereides . She was the female personification of the sea--the loud-moaning mother of fish, seals and dolphins. When Poseidon first sought Amphitrite's hand in marriage, she fled his advances, and hid herself away near Atlas in the Ocean stream at the far ends of the earth. The dolphin-god Delphin eventually tracked her down and persuaded her to return to wed the sea-king. Amphitrite was depicted in Greek vase painting as a young woman, often raising her hand in a pinching gesture. Sometimes she was shown holding a fish. In mosaic art the goddess usually rides beside her husband in a chariot drawn by fish-tailed horses or hippokampoi . Sometimes her hair is enclosed with a net and her brow adorned with a pair of crab-claw "horns".

Her name is probably derived from the Greek words amphis and tris, "the surrounding third." Her son Tritôn was similarly named "of the third." Clearly "the third" is the sea, although the reason for the term is obscure. Amphitrite was essentially the same as the primordial sea-goddess Thalassa . Her Roman equivalent was Salacia whose name means "the salty one." FAMILY OF AMPHITRITE [2.1] OKEANOS & TETHYS (Apollodorus 1.8) OFFSPRING [2.1] RHODE (by Poseidon ) (Apollodorus 1.28) [3.1] KYMOPOLEIA (by Poseidon ) (Hesiod Theogony 817) [4.1] BENTHESIKYME (by Poseidon ) (Apollodorus 3.201) [5.1] SEALS, DOLPHINS, FISH, SHELLFISH (Homer Odyssey 4.404 & 5.440, Aelian On Animals 12.45, Athenaeus Deip.

3.92d, Oppian Halieutica 1.1) ENCYCLOPEDIA AMPHITRI′TE (Amphitritê), according to Hesiod (Theog. 243) and Apollodorus (i. 2. § 7) a Nereid, though in other places Apollodorus (i. 2. § 2, i. 4. § 6) calls her an Oceanid. She is represented as the wife of Poseidon and the goddess of the sea (the Mediterranean), and she is therefore a kind of female Poseidon. In the Homeric poems she does not occur as a goddess, and Amphitrite is merely the name of the sea. The most ancient passages in which she occurs as a real goddess is that of Hesiod above referred to and the Homeric hymn on the Delian Apollo (94), where she is represented as having been present at the birth of Apollo.

When Poseidon sued for her hand, she fled to Atlas, but her lover sent spies after her, and among them one Delphinus, who brought about the marriage between her and Poseidon, and the grateful god rewarded his service by placing him among the stars. (Eratosth. Catast. 31; Hygin. Poet. Astr. ii. 17.) When afterwards Poseidon shewed some attachment to Scylla, Amphitrite's jealousy was excited to such a degree, that she threw some magic herbs into the well in which Scylla used to bathe, and thereby changed her rival into a monster with six heads and twelve feet. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 45, 649.) She became by Poseidon the mother of Triton, Rhode, or Rhodos, and Benthesicyme. (Hesiod. Theog. 930, &c.; Apollod. i. 4. § 6; iii. 15. § 4.) Later poets regard Amphitrite as the goddess of the sea in general, or the ocean. (Eurip. Cycl. 702; Ov. Met. i.

14.) Amphitrite was frequently represented in ancient works of art; her figure resembled that of Aphrodite, but she was usually distinguished from her by a sort of net which kept her hair together, and by the claws of a crab on her forehead. She was sometimes represented as riding on marine animals, and sometimes as drawn by them. The temple of Poseidon on the Corinthian isthmus contained a statue of Amphitrite (Paus. ii. 1. § 7), and her figure appeared among the relief ornaments of the temple of Apollo at Amyclae (iii. 19. § 4). on the throne of the Olympian Zeus, and in other places. (v. 2. § 3, comp. i. 17. § 3, v. 26. § 2.) We still possess a considerable number of representations of Amphitrite. A colossal statue of her exists in the Villa Albani, and she frequently appears on coins of Syracuse. The most beautiful specimen extant is that on the arch of Augustus at Rimini.

Halosydne (Halosudnê), that is, "the seafed," or the sea born goddess, occurs as a surname of Amphitrite and Thetys. (Hom. Od. iv. 404, Il. xx. 207.) Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES Poseidon-Neptune and Amphitrite, Greco-Roman mosaic from Herculaneum C1st A.D., Naples National Archaeological Museum Hesiod, Theogony 240 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "To Nereus and rich-haired Doris, daughter of Okeanos (Oceanus), there were born in the barren sea daughters greatly beautiful even among goddesses: Ploto and Eukrante (Eucrante) and Amphitrite [the first three of the fifty listed] . . .

Kymodoke (Cymodoce) who, with Kymatolege (Cymatolege) and Amphitrite, light of foot, on the misty face of the open water easily stills the water and hushes the winds in their blowing . . . These were the daughters born to irreproachable Nereus, fifty in all, and the actions they know are beyond reproach." Hesiod, Theogony 930 ff : "And of Amphitrite and the loud-roaring Earth-Shaker [Poseidon] was born great, wide-ruling Triton, and he owns the depths of the sea, living with his dear mother and the lord his father in their golden house, an awful god." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 11 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Nereus and Doris were parents of the Nereides, whose names were Kymothoe (Cymothoe) . . . Amphitrite [in a list of forty-five names]." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.

28 : "Poseidon married Amphitrite, and had as children Triton and Rhode." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 201 : "His [Poseidon's] and Amphitrite's daughter Benthesikyme (Benthesicyme, Deep-Waves)." Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "From Neptunus [Poseidon] and Amphitrite [was born] : Triton." Colluthus, Rape of Helen 21 (trans. Mair) (Greek poem C5th A.D.) : "[Thetis] the white-armed bride, own sister of Amphitrite." MARRIAGE OF POSEIDON & AMPHITRITE Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 17 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Constellation Delphin. Eratosthenes [Hellenistic poet C3rd B.C.] and others give the following reason for the dolphin's being among the stars.

Amphitrite, when Neptunus [Poseidon] desired to wed her and she preferred to keep her virginity, fled to Atlas. Neptunus sent many to seek her out, among them a certain Delphin, who, in his wandering s among the islands, came at last to the maiden, persuaded her to marry Neptunus, and himself took charge of the wedding. In return for this service, Neptunus put the form of a dolphin among the constellations." Virgil, Georgics 1. 29 ff (trans. Fairclough) (Roman bucolic C1st B.C.) : "You [Caesar praised as if he were Neptunus (Poseidon)] come as god of the boundless sea and sailors worship your deity alone, while farthest Thule owns your lordship and Tethys with the dowry of all her waves buys you to wed her daughter [Amphitrite]." Oppian, Halieutica 1. 38 ff (trans.

Mair) (Greek poet C3rd A.D.) : "The Dophins : Poseidon loves them exceedingly, inasmuch as when he was seeking Amphitrite the dark-eyed daughter of Nereus who fled from his embraces, Delphines (the Dolphins) marked her hiding in the halls of Okeanos (Oceanus) and told Poseidon; and the god of the dark hair straightway carried off the maiden and overcame her against her will. Her he made his bride, queen of the sea, and for their tidings he commended his kindly attendants and bestowed on them exceeding honour for their portion." CHARIOT OF POSEIDON & AMPHITRITE Theseus and Amphitrite, Athenian red-figure kylix C5th B.C., Metropolitan Museum of Art Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. 1353 ff (trans.

Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) : "[Jason addresses the Argonauts whose ship is beached in the Libyan desert :] ‘They [the Libyan Nymphai (Nymphs)] said that when Amphitrite had unyoked the horses from Poseidon's rolling chariot we were to recompense our mother [the ship Argo] amply for what she had suffered all the long time she bore us in her womb. Now I admit that the meaning of this oracle eludes me . . .’ The Minyai (Minyae) [Argonauts] listened with amazement to his tale. It was followed by the most astounding prodigy. A great horse came bounding out of the sea, a monstrous animal, with his golden mane waving in the air. He shook himself, tossing off the spray in showers. Then, fast as the wind, he galloped away. Peleus was overjoyed and at once explained the portent to the others. ‘It is clear to me,’ he said, ‘that Poseidon's loving wife has just unyoked his team. As for our mother, I take her to be none but the ship herself.

Argo carried us in her womb; we have often heard her groaning in her pain. Now, we will carry her. We will hoist her on our shoulders, and never resting , never tiring, carry her across the sandy waste in the track of the galloping horse. He will not disappear inland. I am sure that his hoofprints will lead us to some bay that overlooks the sea.’" AMPHITRITE & THESEUS Bacchylides, Fragment 17 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric IV) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "But sea-dwelling dolphins were swiftly carrying great Theseus to the house of his father [Poseidon], god of horses, and he reached the hall of the gods. There he was awe-struck at the glorious daughters of blessed Nereus, for from their splendid limbs shone a gleam as of fire, and round their hair were twirled gold-braided ribbons; and they were delighting in their hearts by dancing with liquid feet.

And he saw his father's dear wife, august ox-eyed Amphitite, in the lovely house; she put a purple cloak about him and set on his thick hair the faultless garland which once at her marriage guileful Aphrodite had given her, dark with roses [presumably as a wedding gift]. Nothing that the gods wish is beyond the belief of sane mortals: he [Theseus] appeared beside the slender-sterned ship. In what thoughts did he check the Knossian (Cnossian) commander [Minos] when he came unwet from the sea, a miracle for all, and the gods' gifts shone on his limbs." Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 17. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[Minos king of Krete (Crete)] hurled insults at him [Theseus] and denied that he was a son of Poseidon, since he could not recover for him the signet-ring, which he happened to be wearing, if he threw it into the sea.

With these words Minos it is said to have thrown the ring, but they say that Theseus came up from the sea with that ring and also with a gold crown that Amphitrite had given him." Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 5 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Minos is said to have drawn a gold ring from his finger and cast it into the sea. He bade Theseus bring it back, if he wanted him to believe he was a son of Neptunus [Poseidon] . . . Theseus, without any invoking of his father or obligation of an oath, cast himself into the sea. And at once a great swarm of dolphins, tumbling forward over the sea, led him through gently swelling waves to the Nereides. From them he brought back the ring of Minos and a crown, bright with many gems, from Thetis, which she had received at her wedding as a gift from Venus [Aphrodite].

Others say that the crown came from the wife [Amphitrite] of Neptunus, and Theseus is said to have given it to Ariadne as a gift, when on account of his valor and courage she was given to him in marriage." Amphitrite, Poseidon and Hippocamps, Greco-Roman mosaic from Utica, Bardo National Museum AMPHITRITE GODDESS OF THE SEA POETIC MISCELLANY Homer, Odyssey 3. 99 (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) : "Drowned at sea amid Amphitrite's billows." Homer, Odyssey 4. 404 : "A throng of seals, the brood (phôkoi nepodes) of lovely Halosydne [Amphitrite]." Homer, Odyssey 5. 421 ff : "[Odysseus adrift at sea :] ‘I fear that . . . some god may send out against me, from the brine, a Ketos, one of the swarming strange huge creatures in the breeding grounds of Amphitrite.’" Homer, Odyssey 12.

60 ff : "On the one side are overshadowing rocks against which dash the mighty billows of the Amphitrite, the goddess of blue-glancing seas (kyanôpis). The blessed gods call these rocks the Planktai (Planctae, Wanderers)." Hesiod, Theogony 252 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "[The Nereides] Kymodoke (Cymodoce) who, with Kymatolege (Cymatolege) and Amphitrite, light of foot, on the misty face of the open water easily stills the water and hushes the winds in their blowing." Homeric Hymn 3 to Delian Apollo 89 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th - 4th B.C.) : "Leto [on the island of Delos] was racked nine days and nine nights with pangs beyond wont.

And there were with her all the chiefest of the goddesses, Dione and Rheia and Ikhnaie (Ichnaea) and Themis and loud-moaning Amphitrite and the other deathless goddesses. Then the child leaped forth to the light, and all the goddesses raised a cry. Straightway, great Phoibos (Phoebus) [Apollon], the goddesses washed you purely and cleanly with sweet water, and swathed you in a white garment of fine texture, new-woven, and fastened a golden band about you." [N.B. The "chiefest of the goddesses" are the Titanides (Titanesses). Amphitrite stands in place of Tethys, Dione is equivalent to Phoibe, and Ikhnaie "the tracing goddess" is Theia.] Pindar, Olympian Ode 6. 105 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "Great god of the sea [Poseidon], husband of Amphitrite, goddess of the gold spindle." Timotheus, Fragment 79 (trans. Campbell, Vol.

Greek Lyric V) (Greek lyric C5th to C4th B.C.) : "The barbarian naval host was driven back in confusion on the fish-wreathed bosom of Amphitrite with its gleaming folds." Greek Lyric V Anonymous, Fragment 939 (from Aelian, On Animals) (trans. Campbell) : "Highest of gods, gold-tridented Poseidon of the sea, earth-shaker amid the teeming brine, with their fins swimming beasts dance round you in a ring, bounding lightly with nimble flingings of their feet, snub-nosed bristle-necked swift-racing pups, the music-loving dolphins, sea nurslings of the young goddesses the Nereides, whom Amphitrite bore [i.e.

Amphitrite was the mother of dolphins]: you brought me [Arion] to the cape of Tainaron (Taenarum) in Pelops' land when I drifted the Sikelian (Sicilian) Sea, carrying me on your humped backs, cleaving the furrows of Nereus' plain, a path untrodden, when treacherous men had thrown me from the sea-sailing hollow ship into the sea-purple swell of the ocean." Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 37. 6 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[The author quotes an oracle of the Pythian priestess :] The wave of blue-eyed Amphitrite, roaring over the wine-dark sea." Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 8. 62 ff (trans.

Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : "A ruining storm maddens along the wide gulfs of the deep, and moans Amphitrite (the Sea-queen) with her anguished waves which sweep from every hand, uptowering like precipiced mountains, while the bitter squall, ceaselessly veering, shrieks across the sea." Amphitrite, Athenian red-figure stamnos C5th B.C., Toledo Museum of Art Aelian, On Animals 12. 45 (trans. Scholfield) (Greek natural history C2nd A.D.) : "Arion [the poet rescued by a dolphin] wrote a hymn of thanks to Poseidon . . .: ‘Music-loving dolphins, sea-nurslings of the Nereis maids divine, whom Amphitrite bore.’" Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae 3. 92d (trans.

Gullick) (Greek rhetorician C2nd to C3rd A.D.) : "Nikandros of Kolophon (Nicander of Colophon) in the Georgics : ‘And all the shell-fish which feed at the bottom of the ocean--sea snails, conchs, giant clams, and mussels, slimy offspring of Halosydne [Amphitrite].’" Oppian, Cynegetica 1. 77 (trans. Mair) (Greek poet C3rd A.D.) : [Invocation of Oppian to the sea-gods at the beginning of his poem on hunting and fishing:] "Thou, Nereus, and ye gods (daimones) of Amphitrite . . . grant me your grace!" Oppian, Halieutica 1. 1 : "The tribes of the sea and the far scattered ranks of all manner of fishes, the swimming brood of Amphitrite." Callistratus, Descriptions 14 (trans.

Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C4th A.D.) : "[From a description of an ancient Greek painting depicting the leap of Ino into the sea and her reception by the sea-gods :]The figure of Ino was hastening towards the promontory of Skeiron (Sciron) and the sea at the foot of the mountain, and the breakers that were wont to surge in billows were spreading out in a hollow to receive her . . . And sea-dolphins were sporting near by, coursing through the waves in the painting . . . At the outer edges of the painting an Amphitrite rose from the depths, a creature of savage and terrifying aspect who flashed from her eyes a bright radiance. And round about her stood Nereides; these were dainty and bright to look upon, distilling love's desire from their eyes; and circling in their dance over crests of the sea's waves, they amazed the spectator. About them flowed Okeanos, (Oceanus) the motion of his stream being well-nigh like the billows of the sea." Ovid, Fasti 5. 731 (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C.

to C1st A.D.) : "Amphitrite's rich waters welcome the day." Apuleius, The Golden Ass 4. 31 ff (trans. Walsh) (Roman novel C2nd A.D.) : "Nereus' daughters appeared in singing chorus . . . and Salacia [Amphitrite], the folds of her garment sagging with fish." Suidas s.v. Alkyonides (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.) : "After the death of their [the Alkyonides' (Alcyonides')] father [Alkyoneus (Alcyoneus)] they threw themselves into the sea from Kanastraion (Canastraeum), which is the peak of Pellene, but Amphitrite made them birds, and they were called Alkyones from their father. Windless days with a calm sea are called Alkyonides." CULT OF AMPHITRITE Amphitrite was often depicted in the artistic decorations of Poseidon's temples. Presumably she was honoured alongside the god. Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 1. 7 (trans.

Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[The temple of Poseidon at Korinthos (Corinth) on the Isthmos :] The offerings inside were dedicated in our time by Herodes the Athenian, four horses, gilded except the hoofs, which are of ivory, and two gold Tritones beside the horses, with the parts below the waist of ivory. On the car stand Amphitrite and Poseidon and there the boy Palaimon (Palaemon) upright upon a dolphin. These too are made of ivory and gold." Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 19. 3- 5 : "On the altar [of Apollon at Amyklai in Lakonia] are wrought in relief, here an image of Biris, there Amphitrite and Poseidon." Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 26. 2 - 3 : "The offerings of Mikythos (Micythus) I found [at Olympia] were numerous and not together . . . [statues of] Amphitrite, Poseidon and Hestia." Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 11.

8 : "[Reliefs on the throne in the temple of Zeus at Olympia :] There are also reliefs of . . . Amphitrite and Poseidon." POETIC TITLES & EPITHETS Amphitrite had a number of poetic titles and epithets. Greek Name Greek Gods List • Names of the Greek Gods Greek Gods A Complete List of Greek Gods, Their Names & Their Realms of Influence There have been many Greek gods mentioned across thousands of stories in Greek mythology – from the Olympian gods all the way down to the many minor gods. The gods, much like the Greek goddesses of history, have very exaggerated personalities and they are plagued with personal flaws and negative emotions despite they immortality and superhero-like powers. This page is a list of the names of Greek gods in ancient mythology and their roles. It will be continually updated with additions, corrections and more information on each of the gods. Achelous The patron god of the “silver-swirling” Achelous River. Aeolus Greek god of the winds and air Aether Primordial god of the upper air, light, the atmosphere, space and heaven. Alastor God of war. Represented the physical, violent and untamed aspect of war.

Aristaeus Minor patron god of animal husbandry, bee-keeping, and fruit trees. Son of Apollo. Asclepius God of medicine, health, healing, rejuvenation and physicians. Atlas The Primordial Titan of Astronomy. Condemned by Zeus to carry the world on his back after the Titans lost the war. Attis A minor god of vegetation, fruits of the earth and rebirth. Boreas A wind god (Anemoi) and Greek god of the cold north wind and the bringer of winter. Referred to as “The North Wind”. Caerus Minor god of opportunity, luck and favorable moments. Castor One of the twins, Castor and Pollux, known as Dioskouri. Zeus transformed them into the constellation Gemini Cerus The large and powerful wild bull tamed by Persephone and turned into the Taurus constellation. Chaos The nothingness that all else sprung from. A god who filled the gap between Heaven and Earth and created the first beings Gaia, Tartarus, Uranus, Nyx and Erebos. Charon The Ferryman of Hades.

Took the newly dead people across the rivers Styx and Acheron to the Greek underworld if they paid him three obolus (a Greek silver coin). Cronos The god of time. Not to be confused with Cronus, the Titan father of Zeus. Crios The Titan god of the heavenly constellations and the measure of the year.. Cronus God of agriculture, leader and the youngest of the first generation of Titans and father of the Titans. Not to be confused with Cronos, god of time. Dinlas Guardian god of the ancient city Lamark, where wounded heroes could find comfort and heal after battle. He was the son of Aphrodite. An Olympian god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness, religious ecstasy and theatre. Erebus God of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges and the art of sculpture. Created weapons for the gods and married to Aphrodite. Heracles The greatest of the Greek heroes, he became god of heroes, sports, athletes, health, agriculture, fertility, trade, oracles and divine protector of mankind. Known as the strongest man on Earth.

God of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, and border crossings, guide to the Underworld and messenger of the gods. Hesperus The Evening Star – the planet Venus in the evening. Hymenaios God of marriage ceremonies, inspiring feasts and song. Hypnos The Greek god of sleep. Kratos God of strength and power. Momus God of satire, mockery, censure, writers and poets and a spirit of evil-spirited blame and unfair criticism. Morpheus God of dreams and sleep – has the ability to take any human form and appear in dreams. Nereus The Titan god of the sea before Poseidon and father of the Nereids (nymphs of the sea). Notus Another Anemoi (wind god) and Greek god of the south wind. Known as “The South Wind”. Oceanus Titan god of the ocean. Believed to be the personification of the World Ocean, an enormous river encircling the world. Pallas The Titan god of warcraft and of the springtime campaign season. Pan God of nature, the wild, shepherds, flocks, goats, mountain wilds, and is often associated with sexuality.

Also a satyr (half man, half-goat). Phosphorus The Morning Star – the planet Venus as it appears in the morning. Plutus The Greek god of wealth. Pollux Twin brother of Castor, together known as the Dioskouri, that were transformed into the constellation Gemini. Pontus ancient, pre-Olympian sea-god of the deep sea, one of the Greek primordial deities and son of Gaia. Olympian Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses. Priapus Minor rustic fertility god, protector of flocks, fruit plants, bees and gardens and known for having an enormous penis. Pricus The immortal father of sea-goats, made into the Capricorn constellation. Proteus Early sea-god or god of rivers and oceanic bodies of water referred to by Homer as the “Old Man of the Sea”. Tartarus The god of the deep abyss, a great pit in the depths of the underworld, and father of Typhon. Thanatos A minor god and the god of death.

Triton Myth about Amphitrite and Poseidon - Windows to the Universe Painting (c.1610) of Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) entitled "The Triumph of Neptune and Amphitrite." Click on image for full size Image courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art: The George W. Elkins Collection. Amphitrite Amphitrite was one of the sea-nymphs called the Nereids. One day the sea god Poseidon saw her dancing and fell desperately in love with her. He promptly asked her to marry him but unfortunately she refused. Not discouraged by Amphitrite's refusal, Poseidon (Neptune) sent one of his servants, a dolphin to convince her. The dolphin pleaded Neptune's cause so well that she changed her mind. Neptune and Amphitrite married and as a reward for his help, Neptune placed the image of the dolphin among the stars as the constellation Dolphinus, the Dolphin. Among their children was a son, Triton , whose name was given to the principal moon of the planet Neptune . They also had a daughter, Rhodes after whom is named the island of Rhodes. The next largest moon of the planet Neptune was discovered by Gerard P.

Kuiper in 1949 and named Nereid to celebrate Amphitrite. Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store! Learn about Earth and space science, and have fun while doing it! The games section of our online store includes a climate change card game and the Traveling Nitrogen game ! Windows to the Universe Community News Amphitrite Goddess of the Sea [ ? ]Subscribe To This Site Amphitrite Goddess of the Sea In Greek mythology, Amphitrite goddess of the Sea was one of the fifty Nereids, that is a daughter of Nereus and Doris - that's what Hesiod writes in his Theogony (but Apollodorus says her parents were Oceanus and Thetys). Her Roman equivalent was Salacia, god Neptune's wife. Her name means "The third one who encircles (everything)" (because the ancient Greeks thought the whole world was encircled by a river-god, Oceanus ). She spent most of the time singing and dancing with her sisters. One day Poseidon, god of the sea , saw her near the island of Naxos and fell in love with her. He kidnapped her and made her his wife.

In another story, Amphitrite, being a shy girl, fled away and hid somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Poseidon wanted desperately to find her, so he sent all the marine creatures to look for her. Delphinus, a dolphin, managed to find her and convinced her to go back to Poseidon and marry him. That's what made Amphitrite goddess of the sea. (By the way, the dolphin who found her was turned into a constellation by the grateful Poseidon ). Amphitrite goddess of the sea has no special attributions (but sometimes she can calm the waters), she is just the mistress of the sea (and sometimes she is considered the mother of the marine creatures, but they existed even before she became queen of the sea). Some even say that she is just a personification of the sea. She also appeared briefly in the story of Theseus. King Minos asked the hero to prove that he really was Poseidon's son. A ring was thrown into the sea and Theseus had to bring it back.

The sea creatures found the ring and gave it to the hero, while Amphitrite goddess of the sea received him in her underwater palace and gave him a golden crown, which he took to Ariadne as a wedding gift. (As you can see, Amphitrite was the ideal wife, as she was never jealous of her husband's love affairs.) Amphitrite and Poseidon had a son, Triton (a fish-man or a he-mermaid) and a daughter, Rhode, and maybe another daughter, Benthesicyme. In art, she was usually represented with her husband, together with many real and imaginary sea creatures, as you can see in the following pictures of Amphitrite goddess of the sea. Triumph of Neptune and Amphitrite, by Nicolas Poussin Amphitrite Amphitrite See More Amphitrite Pictures > Amphitrite was one of the sea nymphs Nereids , fifty sisters in total and daughters of Nereus and Doris . She was the wife of Poseidon and had two children with him; a son named Triton , a merman; and Rhode . Amphitrite also gave birth to other children, such as seals and dolphins.

Initially, she was considered an important deity, as mentioned in the Homeric Hymn, when she was present at the birth of Apollo , alongside Dione , Rhea and Themis . Gradually, she became less important and in the end, the poets used her name as a mere representation of the sea. Her Roman counterpart was Salacia, the goddess of saltwater. Amphitrite Is also called Salacia, Amphitriti. Poseidon - Greek God of the Sea Contact Poseidon, Greek God of the Sea Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, was one of the most powerful of all of the gods in Greek mythology. He was one of the 12 Olympian gods and goddesses who held court on Mount Olympus - the mountain of the gods . Poseidon is the son of Cronos and Rhea, and brother to Zeus , Hades , Demeter , Hestia , and Hera . After helping brother Zeus overtake control of the world from their father, Cronos, Poseidon was involved in a high-stakes game of drawing lots. The winner would be awarded control over the heavens, second would get control of the sea, and the smallest lot would have control of the Underworld.

Thus, the world was divided into three "territories". Zeus controlled the heavens, Poseidon the sea, and unlucky Hades was forced to live in the Underworld for the rest of his days. All three brothers would be given equal rule over the land, but in many respects nobody exercised this power more than Poseidon. God of the Sea might well have been his title, but many also considered Poseidon Greek god of earthquakes as well, for he shook the earth so vigorously so often that Hades was afraid the walls of the Underworld might collapse under all of the shaking. He was often associated with bulls and horses - creatures that can shake the earth fairly well themselves. Known as Neptune in Roman mythology, he was considered an unruly god who was often prone to temper tantrums and angry bouts of revenge. In this way he was much more like sister Hera that brother Zeus, who often had to resolve Poseidon's conflicts so he wouldn't cause too much destruction. Though he had avoided being relegated to the Underworld, was able to live on Mount Olympus, and was highly recognized and worshiped, Poseidon was often jealous of Zeus's power and authority.

At one point he even tried to chain Zeus up, but his plan failed and he was once again put back into his place. Appropriately, Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, was most often depicted riding atop the ocean waves, sometimes on his chariot pulled by seahorses. He was almost always shown holding his signature weapon, the trident, which is often used by humans as a fishing spear. Like Zeus, he was typically shown as a strong-bodied man with a full beard and white hair. His wife was the sea nymph Amphitrite, but (like many of the gods) he sired children with many different women. Interestingly, many of these children ended up being monstrous half-breeds including the famous cyclops Polyphemus, the winged-horse Pegasus, and his merman son Triton. Amphitrite - Amphitrite Amphitrite Export (PDF) Ampitrite; the goddess of the sea Amphitrite and the wife of Poseidon. Some sources say she is which was a sea nymph and daughter of Nerues and Doris, some say she is an Oceanid, which is one of the one thousand daughters of -nerues--- and ----.

Some reasources even said she was a ghost but however a unicorn This makes her similar to Thalassa. When Poseidon asked her to wed him, she denied him, and fled to Atlas. Eventually Poseidon got one of his servants to persuade her to marry him and Amphitrite’s family consists of her, her husband Poseidon, her son Triton, her daughter Rhode, who can't read, island seals dolphins. Poseidon is the god of the sea, and can conjure up earthquakes and maelstroms. Triton is the messenger of the sea, and is usually represented as a merman. He carried a trident, and a conch shell that, when blown, produced a noise so horrible it would scare his enemies away. Rhode is one of the fifty Oceanids. Apollodorus also tells of a daughter of Poseidon and Amphitrite named Benthesikyme. Amphitrite has a large family that not only consists of mythical beings such as mermen and Oceanids, but also includes sea creatures such as seals and dolphins Although Amphitrite is essentially represented as a female version of Poseidon, their abilities as gods differ greatly.

While Poseidon can conjure up storms, produce earthquakes, control the sea and more, Amphitrite has much less abilities. In fact, she may not have any abilities that are similar to Poseidon’s, in the sense that they are supernatural. However, it is shown that she has a great knowledge of herbs, because she uses a special kind of herb on one of her rivals that transforms her into a hideous monster. So although she does not have any powers such as Poseidon, she makes up for them with her knowledge of herbs and other things. Although Amphitrite was a kind person, she was also extremely jealous and vengeful. When Poseidon first married Amphitrite, he thought he was in love, unlike his usual womanizing ways of simply being physically attracted to someone. However, eventually he went back to his old ways, and this made Amphitrite extremely jealous and upset. There are countless stories of her vengeance on those who Poseidon fancied, but the most famous is against a woman named Scylla.

When Poseidon showed that he was attracted to her, Amphitrite became so jealous that she threw a special type of herb into the well where Scylla bathed, which caused her to transform into a hideous monster. This monster was put on a cliff to snatch sailors off of their ships for meals, which caused this monster to be feared by many sailors everywhere. The love between Poseidon and Amphitrite is special, because it is the first time Poseidon felt anything other than lust for a woman. When he f, he sensed something inside himself aside from lust, perhaps passion and caring. However, since he did not know how to approach a woman other than with his usual methods, he simply approached me and acted how he normally would. I was horrified, and fled Poseidon to hide at Atlas. Poseidon was devastated, but one of his servants, the dolphin god Delphin, offered to track me down for him. He did just this, and persuaded me to come back and marry him. All of this information shows that Amphitrite is a jealous, vengeful, and yet kind and sweet person. The love between her and Poseidon is special, because it is the first time he’s ever been truly in love with a woman.

Although she lacks abilities such as Poseidon’s, such as the ability to control the sea, weather, and conjure up earthquakes and whirlpools, her knowledge of other things, such as herbs, helps make upugh Amphitrite is not one of the most well-known goddesses, she is definitely an important one in Poseidon’s life. Works Cited: [[#|Astma]]__, Aaron. "Poseidon, Greek God and Lord of the Sea." The Myths of the Greek Gods: Greek Mythology and Archetypes. Men of Myths, Web. 14 Dec 2009. < >. "Amphitrite: Greek Goddess, Queen of the Sea." Amphitrite. Theoi Project, Web. 14 Dec 2009. < >. Poseidon • Facts and Information on Greek God Poseidon Poseidon Greek God of the Sea Poseidon was god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses and is considered one of the most bad-tempered, moody and greedy Olympian gods. He was known to be vengeful when insulted – for example when he brutally blinded the Cyclops Polyphemus because his father, Odysseus, had insulted him.

He is the son of Cronus and Rhea and was swallowed by his father along with Hades , Demeter , Hestia and Hera . However, in some folklore stories it is believed that Poseidon, like Zeus , was not swallowed by Cronus because his mother Rhea who concealed him among a flock of lambs and pretended to have given birth to a colt, which was devoured by Cronos instead. After the gods defeated the Titans, the world was divided into three and Zeus, Hades and Poseidon drew straws to decide which they would rule. Zeus drew the skies, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the seas. There is only one reference to this divide, by Home in the Iliad. Facts about Poseidon Poseidon was most notably the God of the sea and the protector of all waters; sailors relied upon him for safe passage. Poseidon was allotted his dominion after the fall of the Titans. Zeus and Hades were his brothers. It stands to reason that, because of his influence on the waters, he was worshipped in connection with navigation. Poseidon was worshipped as a fertility god.

His name is Greek for “husband.” He wielded the trident or three-pronged spear, and this image of him is reflected in art. Poseidon could strike the ground with his trident to produce an earthquake. This earned him the nickname “Earth-shaker.” Poseidon possessed a palace, made of gems and coral, located on the ocean floor. He was at Mount Olympus more often than his palace. Poseidon was moody by nature: his temperament was unstable at best, and his emotional fluctuations often resulted in violence. He was similar to Zeus in that he liked to exert power over women and flaunt his rugged masculinity. At times, however, his efforts were appreciated. Poseidon saved Amymone from a satyr. His primary means of transportation was a chariot pulled by horses. Poseidon assisted the Greeks in the Trojan war. However, Zeus commanded him to withdraw from the battlefield, and he reluctantly obeyed. His grudge against Odysseus is one theme in the Odyssey. Poseidon was the husband of Amphitrite, a Nereid. Their union produced Triton, who was half-human, half-fish. He and Medusa conceived the flying horse, Pegasus – one of many mythological creatures .

He was also the biological father of Orion, Polyphemus, Pelias, and many others. One of his most notable dalliances involved his sister Demeter. She refused his advances by turning herself into a mare. He then transformed into a stallion and pursued her. Their relations produced a horse, Arion. He and Athena competed for possession of the city of Athens. To sway the people in his favor, Poseidon made it spring at the Acropolis. Athena, on the other hand, gave them the olive tree. With it, she won the contest. Despite Poseidon’s connection to chariots and ships, Athena was the first to make one of each. Link/cite this page If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. <a href="">Poseidon: - Greek Gods & Goddesses, September 19, 2014 Link will appear as Poseidon: - Greek Gods & Goddesses, September 19, 2014 Poseidon, Greek God of the Sea POSEIDON FACTS

Question: Which god in Greek myth, the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite, is messenger of the sea?
Answer: TRITON