The Contest of Poseidon and Athena

Poseidon and Athena presented themselves in front of Cecrops and Cecrops asked them to offer a gift truly valuable for Athens.

Poseidon came first: He struck the earth powerfully and created a well with his trident. Immediately, streaming water shot forth, but the water turned out to be salty and not very useful for the population.

Next, it was the turn of goddess Athena. Athena stepped forward, struck her spear into the ground and then she kneeled and planted an olive branch in it. This way she created an olive tree, as a symbolization of peace and prosperity on earth.

Cecrops was very impressed by Athena’s gift. So he chose Athena to lay claim to the city of Athens and the city was named after her.  

God Poseidon, however, was not pleased with the decision of Cecrops and cursed the city Athens to never have enough water from then on 

There came a time where Poseidon was feeling extreme loneliness. Full of anger, he was stirring up storms so strong that made the seas and heavens unite… 

To combat his sad feelings, Poseidon set out to find a wife. On his way, he stumbled upon the mermaid Amphitrite. A sea nymph with golden hair and shimmering blue eyes, dancing on the island of Naxos with her girlfriends. 

Captured by her extraordinary beauty, Poseidon couldn’t help falling in love with her and asked her to marry him. 

Amphitrite, A granddaughter of the Greek Titan of the seas Oceanus and the daughter of the gentle sea god Nereus, was trying to protect her virginity in any way possible. So she refused Poseidon’s proposal, telling him that she disliked his violent nature, and then flew to the Atlas Mountains to escape.

However, Poseidon was determined, so he sent his messenger Delphinus, the king of the dolphins, to locate the mermaid and win her heart.

The dolphin's king obeyed and started a long perilous journey to find the love of his mater. When he finally located the maid, he promised her that, if she married Poseidon, all the energies of Poseidon would balance and tranquility would come to the world of waters. No strong sea would ever do harm to the seamen again. Touched by emotions, Amphitrite surrendered and she married Poseidon.

According to Apollodorus, the couple gave birth to two daughters the Nymphs Rhode and Bentheseiyme, and a son, the merman 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. His Roman equivalent is Neptune.