Poseidon in the Ancient Sources: 187 Passages in Greek & English

Hesiod (5)

Hesiod, Fragments 1.1–13Deucalion, Hellen and their descendantsThe Catalogue of Women opens with the descendants of Deucalion and Hellen, saying that Deucalion was the son of Prometheus and Pronoea, that Hellen fathered Dorus, Xuthus and Aeolus, and that Thyia bore Magnes and Macedon to Zeus. The fragments then turn to the Aloiadae, Eurynome, Endymion, the sons of Actor and Molione, Periclymenus, and the sons of Neleus whom Heracles killed. Most are short quotations from later writers who cite Hesiod for a name or a descent.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.72–85Athens, Crete and central GreeceThese fragments name Butes, Breyon and Cychreus, and then Minos, Androgeos and Ariadne. They end with the families of Eurytus, Autolycus, Locrus, Ileus, Clymene and Thoas.
Hesiod, Fragments 8.1–5AstronomyThe Astronomy, a poem attributed to Hesiod, is cited for the stars and constellations. The fragments name the Pleiades and the Hyades, the Great Bear and Callisto, Boötes and Orion.
Hesiod, Theogony 450–479Rhea and Cronus; the birth of Zeus (450-479)Hecate is made a nurse of the young. Rhea bears Cronus Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus, and Cronus swallows each child as it is born, because Gaia and Uranus have told him his own son will overcome him. When she is about to bear Zeus, Rhea asks her parents for a plan, and they send her to Lyctus in Crete, where Gaia receives the child.
Hesiod, Theogony 780–819Styx and the oath of the gods (780-819)Iris fetches water from the Styx, the eldest daughter of Oceanus, which the gods swear by. A god who perjures himself lies breathless for a year and is then barred from the feasts of the gods for nine years. Beyond lie the sources and limits of earth, sea and sky, and the Titans live beyond Chaos; Cottus and Gyes live on Ocean's foundations, and Briareos marries Poseidon's daughter.

Homer (36)

Homer, Odyssey 1.1–95Invocation; the gods in councilThe poet asks the Muse to sing of the man who wandered long after the sack of Troy and lost his comrades through their folly in eating the cattle of the Sun. Odysseus is held on Calypso's island, longing for home, while Poseidon, who is angry with him, is away among the Ethiopians. In the council of the gods Zeus speaks of Aegisthus, and Athena pleads for Odysseus and obtains leave to send Hermes to Calypso and to go herself to Ithaca.
Homer, Odyssey 13.122–184Poseidon turns the Phaeacian ship to stoneThe Phaeacian crew set Odysseus' gifts by an olive tree, out of the path, and sail for home. Poseidon complains to Zeus that the Phaeacians have thwarted him, and Zeus tells him to turn their ship to stone as it comes into harbour. Poseidon strikes the ship and roots it to the sea-bed as a rock, and the Phaeacians, in dismay, remember an old prophecy that he would wreck a ship and hide their city behind a mountain. Alcinous bids them sacrifice twelve bulls to the god.
Homer, Iliad 15.1–77Zeus wakes and rebukes HeraThe Trojans flee over the ditch and the stakes, and Zeus wakes on Ida to see them in flight and Poseidon at work among the Achaeans. He rebukes Hera, reminding her how he once hung her from heaven with anvils on her feet, and she swears by the Styx that Poseidon acts of his own will. Zeus smiles and tells her to send Iris and Apollo to him.
Homer, Iliad 13.1–125Poseidon rouses the two AjaxesZeus turns his eyes away from the ships, and Poseidon, watching from Samothrace, goes down and drives his horses across the sea to the Achaean camp. In the likeness of Calchas he strikes the two Ajaxes with his staff and fills them with strength, and then goes through the host rousing the weary and the wounded. He tells the Achaeans that Hector has broken the gates and is fighting at the ships, and urges them to hold.
Homer, Iliad 20.75–155Apollo rouses Aeneas; the gods sit apartAchilles wants above all to meet Hector, but Apollo, in the likeness of Lycaon, goads Aeneas into facing him. Aeneas protests that some god always stands beside Achilles, and Apollo answers that he too is the son of a goddess, Aphrodite, and should pray to the gods. Hera tells Poseidon and Athena that the gods should stand by Achilles, but Poseidon proposes that they sit apart on the wall of Heracles and join the fight only if Ares or Apollo begin it.
Homer, Iliad 20.259–352Achilles and Aeneas fight; Poseidon rescues AeneasAeneas casts his spear, which pierces two layers of Achilles' shield but is stopped by the gold of the third, and Achilles' spear passes through Aeneas' shield and over his shoulder. Aeneas lifts a great stone, but Poseidon, pitying him, carries him high over the fighters to the rear of the battle and tells him not to fight Achilles again. Poseidon scatters the mist from Achilles' eyes.
Homer, Odyssey 8.256–369The song of Ares and AphroditeAlcinous has the lyre fetched, and the young Phaeacians dance while Odysseus watches. Demodocus sings of how Hephaestus caught his wife Aphrodite in bed with Ares, trapping them in a net of fine bronze chains, and called the gods to see. Hermes and Apollo joke about it, and Poseidon persuades Hephaestus to set Ares free, and Ares goes off to Thrace and Aphrodite to Paphos. Odysseus is delighted at the song.
Homer, Iliad 14.361–439Poseidon rallies the Achaeans; Ajax strikes Hector downPoseidon, told that Zeus is asleep, urges the Argives to arm in the largest shields and then leads them out with a long sword in his hand. Hector and Ajax clash, and Ajax strikes Hector on the chest with a stone so that he falls like an oak struck by lightning. The Trojan leaders drive the Achaeans back from the body, and Hector is carried to the ford of the Xanthus, where he revives briefly and then sinks back, vomiting black blood.
Homer, Iliad 15.143–219Zeus' message to PoseidonHera calls Apollo and Iris from the hall and sends them to Ida, where Zeus tells Iris to bid Poseidon leave the battle and go back among the gods or into the sea. Poseidon is angry at being treated as an inferior, since he and Zeus are brothers and each has his own portion. He yields, but warns Zeus that if he spares Ilios against the wishes of the other gods, there will be trouble.
Homer, Iliad 20.1–74Zeus calls the gods to councilThe Achaeans arm by the ships with Achilles longing to meet Hector, and Zeus on Olympus calls the gods to an assembly. He tells them that he is concerned for the Trojans, since Achilles may sack the city before its fate, and lets the gods go down to help whichever side they choose. All the rivers except Ocean and all the nymphs attend.
Homer, Iliad 21.383–513The battle of the godsThe gods go to war with one another: Ares attacks Athena with his spear and is knocked down by a stone she hurls, and Athena strikes Aphrodite when she comes to help him. Poseidon challenges Apollo, who refuses to fight over mortals, and Artemis, scolded by Hera, is beaten and runs in tears to Zeus. Hermes declines to fight Leto, who gathers up the scattered bow and arrows of her daughter.
Homer, Odyssey 3.1–101Telemachus lands at PylosTelemachus and Athena reach Pylos at sunrise and find Nestor and his people sacrificing black bulls to Poseidon on the shore. Nestor's son Peisistratus welcomes them, gives them a place at the feast and hands Athena the golden cup. When they have eaten, Nestor asks who they are, and Telemachus asks him for news of his father.

24 more passages of Homer that name Poseidon

Apollodorus (19)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.7–10The Labours of Heracles (7-10): the Cretan Bull to Geryon's CattleHeracles brings the Cretan bull to Mycenae and takes the man-eating mares of Diomedes of Thrace, founding Abdera. For the belt of Hippolyte he sails to the Amazons, kills her after Hera stirs up trouble, and on the way home saves Hesione from the sea monster at Troy, which Laomedon will not pay for. For the tenth labour he crosses to Erytheia, kills Geryon and his herdsman and dog, and drives the cattle home through Italy and Sicily, wrestling Eryx and enduring Hera's gadfly.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.1.1–4Europa, Minos and the birth of the MinotaurZeus takes the form of a bull and carries Europa from Phoenicia to Crete, where she bears Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys, while her brothers Cadmus, Phoenix and Cilix, with Telephassa and Thasus, settle in distant lands. The three sons quarrel over Miletus, and Minos marries Pasiphae and has his children. Minos wins the kingdom by praying for a bull from Poseidon and then sacrificing another; Poseidon makes the bull savage and makes Pasiphae fall in love with it, so that with Daedalus's wooden cow she bears the Minotaur, shut up in the Labyrinth.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.16–22Jason and the Argonauts: the voyage to PhineusPelias is warned against the man with one sandal and sends Jason to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Argus builds the Argo, the crew is listed, and the ship calls at Lemnos, at the land of the Doliones where Cyzicus is killed by mistake, and at Mysia, where Hylas is lost and Heracles is left behind. Polydeuces kills Amycus of the Bebryces, and at Salmydessus Zetes and Calais drive the Harpies from the seer Phineus, who tells the crew how to pass the Clashing Rocks.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.15.1–3.16.2Erechtheus, Aegeus, Minos's war on Athens and the birth of TheseusPandion's sons divide his inheritance and Erechtheus becomes king; his daughters include Procris, killed accidentally by Cephalus, and Orithyia, carried off by Boreas. The section covers Cleopatra and Phineus, Eumolpus and the war with Erechtheus, who sacrifices his daughter, and Aegeus and his marriages. Minos, to avenge Androgeus, takes Megara through Scylla's treachery and imposes the tribute of youths and maidens for the Minotaur. It ends with the birth of Theseus to Aethra and his first two labours, where the surviving text of the Library breaks off.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.4.1–5Leto, Apollo and Artemis; Python, Marsyas and OrionAsteria flees Zeus and becomes the island Delos, where the hunted Leto bears Artemis and then Apollo. Apollo takes over the oracle at Delphi by killing the snake Python, kills Tityus for assaulting Leto, and has Marsyas flayed after a musical contest. Artemis kills Orion on Delos, and two reasons are given, a challenge at quoits or violence against the Hyperborean maiden Opis; the section ends with Poseidon's children by Amphitrite.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.1.1–5Inachus, Io and the DanaidsThe line of Inachus of Argos runs through Phoroneus and Apis to Argus the All-seeing, whom Hermes kills while he guards Io, whom Zeus has turned into a cow. Io wanders to Egypt and bears Epaphus, whose descendants include the twins Belus and Agenor. Belus's twin sons Aegyptus and Danaus quarrel over the kingdom, Danaus flees to Argos with his fifty daughters, and they are married to Aegyptus's sons and kill them on the wedding night, all but Hypermnestra, who spares Lynceus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.14.1–8Cecrops, Athena and Poseidon, and the early kings of AthensCecrops, a son of the soil, is the first king of Attica, and in his reign Athena and Poseidon contend for the land and the gods award it to Athena. The section covers Cecrops's daughters, Cephalus, Cinyras and Adonis, the kings Cranaus, Amphictyon and Erichthonius (born from Hephaestus's seed), the gift of wine to Icarius and Erigone's death, and ends with Pandion and the story of Procne, Philomela and Tereus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.7.1–40The wanderings of Odysseus, the suitors and his deathOdysseus leaves Troy and meets the Cicones, the Lotus-eaters and Polyphemus the Cyclops, then Aeolus, the Laestrygonians and Circe. After the visit to Hades, the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis and the cattle of the Sun, he reaches Calypso and then the Phaeacians and Ithaca, where the suitors are named and killed. The section ends with his later life among the Thesprotians and the variant accounts of his death at the hands of Telegonus, and of Penelope's fate.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.7.1–10Prometheus, Deucalion's flood and the family of HellenPrometheus moulds men from water and earth, steals fire for them and is nailed to Mount Caucasus, where an eagle eats his liver until Heracles frees him. His son Deucalion survives Zeus's flood in a chest with Pyrrha and makes new people from stones; their son Hellen gives the Greeks their name and divides the country among Dorus, Xuthus and Aeolus. The section then follows Aeolus's children: the Aloads Otus and Ephialtes who pile Ossa and Pelion on Olympus, Endymion, Aetolus, Evenus and Marpessa, and the house of Thestius.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.4.1–5Perseus: Danae, Medusa and AndromedaAn oracle tells Acrisius that his daughter's son will kill him, so he shuts Danae in a brazen chamber, but she bears Perseus to Zeus and is cast into the sea with him in a chest. On Seriphus, Polydectes sends Perseus to fetch the Gorgon's head; with help from Hermes and Athena he gets the nymphs' gear from the Phorcides and beheads Medusa, from whom Pegasus and Chrysaor spring. He rescues Andromeda from a sea monster, turns Polydectes to stone, and accidentally kills Acrisius with a discus at Larissa, so fulfilling the oracle. The section ends with Perseus's descendants and the birth of Eurystheus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.1.1–24Theseus and the Minotaur; Daedalus, Phaedra and PirithousThe Epitome picks up Theseus' labours with the sow of Crommyon and goes on through Sciron, Cercyon and Damastes, after which he reaches Athens and Medea's plot against him fails. With Ariadne's clue he kills the Minotaur, and Ariadne is left on Naxos for Dionysus; Aegeus leaps to his death when he sees the black sail. The section then follows Daedalus and Icarus and Minos's death in Sicily, Theseus's Amazon wife and Phaedra's passion for Hippolytus, the Centauromachy, Helen's abduction, and Theseus's capture in Hades and death on Scyros.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.2.1–7Zeus and the Titanomachy; the children of the TitansZeus takes Metis as his ally, and she gives Cronus a drug that makes him disgorge the stone and his swallowed children. In the ten-year war the gods win once Zeus frees the prisoners in Tartarus and the Cyclopes give him thunder and lightning, Pluto a helmet and Poseidon a trident; the Titans are shut in Tartarus and the three brothers draw lots for sky, sea and the underworld. The rest of the section lists the offspring of the Titans, of Styx, and of Sea and Earth, ending with the Nereids.

7 more passages of Apollodorus that name Poseidon

Pindar (9)

Pindar, Olympian Odes 1.1–116Olympian 1: for Hieron — Pelops and TantalusPindar opens with the praise of water and gold and of the Olympic games as the greatest of contests, and hails Hieron of Syracuse, victor with the horse Pherenicus. He rejects the tale that the gods ate the flesh of Pelops, and tells instead how Poseidon, in love, carried the boy off to Olympus after the banquet of Tantalus, and how Tantalus is punished for stealing nectar and ambrosia with a rock hanging over his head. Pelops later prays to Poseidon, overcomes Oenomaüs in the chariot race and wins Hippodameia. The ode ends with a prayer that Hieron keep his greatness and that Pindar be the foremost poet among Hellenes.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 6.1–105Olympian 6: for Hagesias — Iamus, son of ApolloPindar likens the opening of his ode to the building of a hall on golden pillars and praises Hagesias of Syracuse, an Iamid and victor with the mule-car, recalling Adrastus' lament for Amphiaraüs. He tells how Euadne, loved by Apollo, hid her child Iamus among the violets, where bees' honey fed him, and how Apollo later gave him the gift of prophecy and an oracle at Olympia. He closes by sending Aeneas to praise Hera and Stymphalus, and with a prayer to Poseidon.
Pindar, Pythian Odes 4.1–142Pythian 4: for Arcesilas — Medea's prophecy and Jason at IolcusPindar honours Arcesilas, king of Cyrene and victor in the chariot race, and recalls the word that Medea spoke at Thera, that her companions' descendants would colonise Libya, so that Arcesilas is eighth in the line from Battus. He then turns to Jason, who arrives at Iolcus wearing one sandal and astonishes the crowd in the market-place, and who says that he has come to recover his father's honour. His kinsmen Pheres, Amythaon, Admetus and Melampus gather to him, and he leads them to the hall of Pelias and begins his appeal to the king.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 9.1–112Olympian 9: for Epharmostus — Deucalion and OpusPindar praises Epharmostus of Opus, wrestling victor, and Opus, mother-city of the Locrians, and begs his lips to speak no ill of the gods, recalling Heracles' battles with Poseidon, Phoebus and Hades at Pylos. He tells how Deucalion and Pyrrha made a people from stones, and how Zeus took the daughter of Opus of Elis to Locrus, who named her son Opus after her father. The ode ends with Epharmostus' other victories and a tribute to his skill.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 13.1–115Olympian 13: for Xenophon — Corinth and BellerophonPindar praises Corinth and the house of Xenophon, victor in the foot-race and pentathlon, and asks who first invented the dithyramb and the bridle. He tells of the Corinthian heroes of the Argo and of Troy, and how Bellerophon slept at Athena's altar, was given the golden bridle and tamed Pegasus at the spring of Peirene. The ode ends with the list of the family's victories at the Isthmus and Nemea and a prayer to Zeus.
Pindar, Pythian Odes 4.143–299Pythian 4: for Arcesilas — the Argonauts and the golden fleeceJason offers Pelias the flocks and herds but asks for the sceptre and throne of his father Aeson, and Pelias answers softly, sending him to fetch the golden fleece and the spirit of Phrixus. Jason gathers the Argonauts, including Orpheus, Echion and Eurytus, who sail after his prayer to Zeus. At Colchis Aeëtes sets him a task, and with Medea's charms Jason wins the fleece, kills the serpent and carries Medea off, and the ode ends with a plea that Arcesilas recall the exile Damophilus.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 1.1–68Isthmian 1: for Herodotus — Thebes, Castor and IolaüsPindar tells his native Thebes that her call outweighs his other tasks and praises Herodotus of Thebes, who drove his own chariot, comparing him to Castor and Iolaüs, the best of charioteers. He recalls Herodotus' father Asopodorus and the family's ties with Orchomenus, and calls on Poseidon, the sons of Amphitryon, the Minyae, Eleusis and Euboea, adding Protesilaus at Phylace. He ends by warning that a man who hoards wealth and oppresses others dies without glory.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 8.1–70Isthmian 8: for Cleandros — Thetis and the AeacidaePindar calls on the youths to sing at the door of Telesarchus for Cleandros of Aegina, pancratium victor, and says that the relief from war's dread may be healed by freedom. He tells how Zeus and Poseidon strove to wed Thetis until Themis declared that she must bear a son greater than his father, so that she was given to Peleus. He ends by praising Cleandros' kinsman, the boxer Nicocles, who won the crown of Dorian celery at the Isthmus.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 8.1–88Olympian 8: for Alcimedon — Aeacus and the walls of TroyPindar hails Olympia and praises Alcimedon of Aegina, boys' wrestling victor, and the justice of Aegina. He tells how Aeacus helped Poseidon and Apollo to build the wall of Troy: three serpents leapt at it and the one that entered it foretold the fall of Troy at the hands of Aeacus' descendants. The ode ends with Alcimedon's family, his father Iphion and his dead kinsmen.

Aeschylus (1)

Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 78–180Parodos: the Theban women in terrorThe Chorus of Theban women sing in terror of the sound of the approaching army, the clatter of the chariots and the dust, and call on the gods of the city for help. They pray to Athena, Poseidon, Ares, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis and Hera and beg them to save Thebes from capture and slavery.

Sophocles (3)

Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 668–719First stasimon: the praise of ColonusThe Chorus sing the praise of Colonus, the land of fine horses, where the nightingale sings in the green glades, among ivy and berries, and where Dionysus walks with his nurses. They praise the narcissus, the crocus, the olive tree which no one may destroy, and the horse and the sea, gifts of Poseidon.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1139–1180Fourth episode (cont.): a suppliant at Poseidon's altarTheseus says that he is not surprised at Oedipus' delight, and tells him that when he first set out a man, a kinsman of Oedipus but not a Theban, was sitting as a suppliant at the altar of Poseidon. Oedipus guesses that it is his son, and says that he does not want to speak to him, and Theseus reminds him of his duty to the god.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 887–938Third episode (cont.): Theseus arrives and orders the pursuitTheseus hears the shout and hurries from his sacrifice to Poseidon, and Oedipus tells him that Creon has taken his daughters. Theseus orders his men to leave the sacrifice and ride to the place where the two roads meet, so that the girls cannot be carried off. He tells Creon that he will not leave the land until he has brought the girls before him, and rebukes him for his violence against a city of law.

Euripides (9)

Euripides, Trojan Women 48–97Prologue: Athena and Poseidon plan to wreck the Greek fleetAthena asks Poseidon to join her in a plan, though she was once the enemy of Troy, and complains that the Achaeans did nothing and said nothing when her temple was outraged. She says that Zeus will send rain, hail and tempests on the Greeks when they sail from Ilium, and asks Poseidon to make the Aegean roar with billows and whirlpools and to fill the hollow bay of Euboea with corpses, and Poseidon agrees, saying that the mortal who sacks cities and temples is a fool.
Euripides, Hippolytus 848–890Fourth episode: Theseus reads Phaedra's letter and prays for his son's deathThe Chorus laments for the queen, and Theseus sees a letter fastened to her hand and reads it. He cries out that it tells of a terrible deed, that his wife has been violated by his son. He calls on Poseidon, who once granted him three wishes, to kill Hippolytus this very day.
Euripides, Hippolytus 891–931Fourth episode: Hippolytus returns to his father's curseThe Chorus begs the king to withdraw his prayer, but Theseus says that it is too late and that Hippolytus will either be killed by Poseidon or banished. Hippolytus comes and asks why his father is so troubled, and why his stepmother is dead. Theseus, instead of answering, complains of the lack of any test to tell true friends from false.
Euripides, Trojan Women 1–47Prologue: Poseidon bids farewell to ruined TroyPoseidon, who with Phoebus built the walls of Troy, says that he has come from the Aegean to a city that lies in ruins, with its temples forsaken and Priam dead at the altar, while the Greeks carry off the spoils. He tells how the captive women are being allotted, some to Arcadia, some to Thessaly, some to the sons of Theseus, while the rest wait in the tents, and says that he bids farewell to the city, which would still stand if Pallas had not decreed its ruin. He sees Hecuba lying at the gate, and learns that Polyxena has died and that Cassandra has been taken by Agamemnon.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 1422–1499Exodos: Athena stops Thoas and sets out the future of the cultThoas calls on all citizens to rush to the coast and seize the Greek ship, and says that he will punish the Chorus later. Athena appears and tells him to cease the pursuit, since Orestes has come at Apollo's command and Poseidon will let him sail safely. She tells Orestes to found a temple at Halae in Attica, and that Iphigenia will be priestess at Brauron, and Thoas yields, saying that whoever hears the words of the gods and does not obey is not thinking rightly.
Euripides, Helen 1569–1618Exodos: the sacrifice, the fight and the escape by seaThe Messenger tells how Helen and Menelaus's men boarded, and how Menelaus, once offshore, killed the bull and prayed to Poseidon. A sailor cried treachery, but Menelaus and his men turned on the Egyptian crew, and the ship ran with blood. Menelaus then ordered the helmsman to sail for Greece, and the Messenger escaped by swimming.
Euripides, Cyclops 253–312Second episode: Odysseus and Silenus quarrel before the CyclopsOdysseus tells the Cyclops that they came to buy food and that Silenus sold them the lambs behind his master's back. Silenus protests and swears by Poseidon, but the Chorus says that it saw him sell them. The Cyclops asks who the strangers are, and Odysseus says that they are Ithacans on their way home from Troy, and he begs for mercy as suppliants.
Euripides, Hippolytus 1255–1324Exodos: Theseus hears the news and Artemis appearsTheseus says that his hatred of his son made him glad of the news, yet feels neither joy nor sorrow at his sufferings, and orders his servants to bring him home. The Chorus sings that Aphrodite rules the hearts of gods and men, and that her power is supreme, and then the goddess Artemis appears. She tells Theseus that he has slain his son on a false charge, explains Phaedra's passion and the lying letter, and says that he misused one of Poseidon's three promised wishes.
Euripides, Andromache 1009–1069Third choral song; Peleus learns that Hermione has fledThe Chorus calls on Apollo and Poseidon, who built the walls of Troy, and asks why they have forgotten, and sings of the vengeance that has overtaken the sons of Agamemnon. Peleus then comes and asks if the rumour is true that Hermione has fled; the Chorus says that she has, and that she fears the anger of her husband.

Apollonius Rhodius (3)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.122–233The catalogue of the Argonauts, continuedHeracles leaves the Erymanthian boar at Mycenae and joins the expedition with Hylas. The catalogue goes on with Nauplius, Idmon, Castor and Polydeuces, Idas and Lynceus, Euphemus, Meleager, and Zetes and Calais, the winged sons of Boreas, and ends with Acastus and Argus. The poet adds that the whole company was called the Minyae.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4.1228–1392Storm and the Libyan SyrtisA storm drives Argo into the shallows of the Libyan Syrtis, where the heroes despair of ever sailing out. The heroines of Libya tell Jason to repay their mother, a sea-horse appears, and Peleus understands that they must carry Argo overland; the heroes carry her on their shoulders for twelve days to Lake Triton.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4.1537–1693Triton, and Talos of CreteTriton, in the form of a young man, gives Euphemus a clod of earth and later shows the way out of Lake Triton to the sea. At Crete the bronze man Talos hurls rocks at Argo until Medea overcomes him with her spells and he falls.

Theocritus (1)

Theocritus, Idylls 22.1–223Idyll 22: The DioscuriA hymn to Castor and Pollux, helpers of sailors and of men in battle. At a spring in the land of the Bebryces Pollux boxes with the giant Amycus and beats him, and Amycus swears never again to wrong strangers. Castor fights Lynceus and kills him, and Zeus strikes down Idas with a thunderbolt. The hymn ends with a prayer to the sons of Tyndarus and with praise of song.

Aristophanes (6)

Aristophanes, Birds 1561–1635bEpisode: the embassy of Poseidon, Heracles and the TriballianThe Chorus end a short song, and Poseidon, Heracles and a Triballian arrive as envoys, and Poseidon scolds the Triballian for the way he wears his cloke. They find Peisthetaerus grating silphium over birds that have been tried for rebellion, and Heracles is eager to eat. Poseidon offers peace on generous terms, Peisthetaerus asks for the sceptre to go back to the birds, and the three gods begin to vote.
Aristophanes, Birds 1636–1701Episode: Heracles is won over; the vote on the sceptreHeracles stops Poseidon from leaving over one woman. Peisthetaerus whispers to Heracles that, as the son of an alien mother, he can inherit nothing from Zeus, and he reads out Solon's law on bastards. Heracles is persuaded, the jargon of the Triballian is taken to mean Restore her, and Poseidon gives way. Heracles offers to stay and roast the meat while the others go.
Aristophanes, The Knights 498–623aParabasis: the Chorus speaks for the poet, then praises Poseidon, Athena and the KnightsThe Chorus wish the Sausage-seller luck and then turn to the audience, explaining why their poet did not ask for a chorus earlier, since training a comedy is the hardest of tasks. They recall the fortunes of earlier poets, Magnes whom the audience deserted in his grey hairs, Cratinus swept along like a river and now drivelling, and Crates who held out to the end. They ask for a hearty welcome for the poet, invoke Poseidon and Pallas and praise the Knights who fought with them afloat. The Sausage-seller then returns, and the Chorus ask him to tell what happened.
Aristophanes, The Acharnians 490–571Agon: Dicaeopolis argues that Sparta is not alone to blame for the warThe Chorus ask how a man dares to offer his neck for the enemy, and Dicaeopolis begins by saying that he speaks as a beggar at the Lenaea, when no strangers are present, and that he hates the Lacedaemonians as much as his hearers do. He traces the war to the stealing of Simaetha by young Athenians and of two of Aspasia's women by the Megarians, which led Pericles to pass his decrees against Megara. The Chorus then split, half calling him a villain and half agreeing with him, and one half summons Lamachus to their aid.
Aristophanes, Birds 263–327Parodos: the birds arrive one by oneThe birds come in one by one and the Hoopoe names them for the strangers: the Flamingo, a bird that he calls a Median, a second hoopoe, and another that he calls the Glutton, which reminds Peisthetaerus of Cleonymus. The air fills with partridges, owls, jays and doves until the entrance is blocked. When the Chorus of birds learn that the Hoopoe has received two men into their land, they cry out that they have been betrayed.
Aristophanes, Birds 541–588Agon: the plan for a wall in the air and a blockade of the godsThe Chorus lament how their fathers lost the empire and ask what they must do. Peisthetaerus tells them to enclose the air with a great brick wall like the wall of Babylon, make it the abode of their race, and send a messenger to demand the kingdom from Zeus. If Zeus refuses, they will declare a holy war and keep the gods from passing through the air to their mortal lovers. He answers a doubt about whether men will take the birds for gods by pointing out that Hermes and other gods fly on wings, and he threatens men with sparrows and rooks that will eat their seed.

Diodorus Siculus (7)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.71.1–4.75.6Asclepius, Aeacus, Pelops and the kings of TroyThe historian gives the birth and healing art of Asclepius and the descendants of Asopus' daughters, including Aeacus and his sons Peleus and Telamon. He then tells of Oenomaüs and the chariot race by which Pelops wins Hippodameia, and of Tantalus, and ends with the first kings of Troy, from Teucrus and Dardanus down to Priam.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.55.1–5.59.6Rhodes: the Telchines, the Heliadae and later settlersThe Telchines first lived on Rhodes, followed by the children of Helius and Rhodos, the Heliadae, who are famed for their learning and for their sacrifice without fire. The historian tells of the killing of Tenages and Danaüs's visit to Lindus, and of the later settlers Phorbas, Althaemenes and Tlepolemus.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.67.1–4.70.4Aeolus and Boeotus, Salmoneus and Neleus, the Lapiths and CentaursAfter the Epigoni return home, Teiresias dies at Tilphossaeum and the Cadmeans leave it, and the historian gives the story of Arne, Aeolus and Boeotus. He then follows Salmoneus, Tyro and their descendants as far as Nestor, and turns to the Lapiths and Centaurs: the sons of Peneius, Ixion's crime against Eïoneus, and the origin of the Centaurs.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.68.1–5.72.5Zeus and the children of Cronus in CreteAccording to the Cretans the children of Cronus and Rhea discovered or introduced many arts, and the sea, the hearth and the corn belong to Poseidon, Hestia and Demeter. The historian gives the conflicting accounts of how Zeus became king, the places in Crete tied to his infancy, his benefactions to mankind and the punishment of the Giants.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 6.2.1–6.9.1Book 6: other fragmentsThe fragments that follow take up the gods named after lands they conquered, the Titans Xanthus and Balius, crowns, Picus who was called Zeus, and the Dioscori. They go on to Salmoneus, who imitated Zeus's thunder, to Admetus, Alcestis and Melampus, and end with Bellerophon at the court of Proetus and the Chimaera.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.40.1–4.44.7The Argonauts I: Jason and the voyage to PhineusJason, nephew of Pelias, has a great ship built on Mount Pelion and gathers the chiefs of Greece, with Heracles among them. On the way they rescue Hesione at Sigeium, come through a storm thanks to Orpheus' prayers to the gods of Samothrace, and reach Phineus, whose sons are freed by the Boreadae and Heracles. They then put in on the coast of the Tauric Chersonese, where strangers are sacrificed to Artemis.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.76.1–4.80.6Daedalus, Minos in Sicily and the Mothers at EngyumDaedalus, an Athenian craftsman who invents the saw and the potter's wheel, flees to a deme of Attica after the death of his nephew, then to Crete, where he makes the contrivance for Pasiphae, and then escapes to Sicily; Icarus falls into the sea. Minos pursues him to Sicily and dies at the court of Cocalus. The section ends with the cult of the Mothers at Engyum and the great temple the townspeople built for them.

Ovid (10)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.547–610Theseus at the house of Achelous; PerimeleTheseus, on his way back to Athens, is stopped by the flooded river Achelous, who invites him to his hall and entertains him with tales of changes. Achelous tells him of the Echinades, once nymphs whom he spurned, and of Perimele, whom he loved, and whom her father threw into the sea. Poseidon (Neptune), in pity, turned her into an island.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.396–562The Minyades become bats; Athamas and InoThe daughters of Minyas, who have scorned Dionysus (Bacchus), find their looms turning to vines and ivy, and they are changed into bats. Hera (Juno), angry at the honour done to Semele's sister Ino, goes down to the Underworld and sends the Fury Tisiphone to the house of Athamas, who goes mad and kills his son Learchus. Ino leaps from a cliff with her other son Melicertes, and Aphrodite (Venus) asks Poseidon (Neptune) to make them sea-gods, and Ino's Theban companions are changed into rocks and birds.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.721–884Erysichthon and FamineAchelous goes on with his tales, and tells how Erysichthon, who scorns the gods, cuts down the sacred oak of Demeter (Ceres), and its dryad dies, prophesying his punishment. Demeter sends Famine, who breathes on him as he sleeps, and he grows insatiably hungry and eats everything he has, and sells his daughter Mestra. Mestra is freed by Poseidon (Neptune) and can change her shape, so that her father sells her again and again, until in the end he eats his own limbs. Achelous ends by speaking of his own changes and the horn he has lost.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.146–209CaeneusA truce follows the first battle at Troy, and at a feast in the Greek camp Achilles' invulnerability is praised, and Nestor tells of a similar man, Caeneus. Nestor tells how Caeneus was once the girl Caenis, loved by Poseidon (Neptune), who granted her wish to become a man who could not be wounded. Caeneus, rejoicing, lived for years as a man in northern Thessaly.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.534–628Periclymenus and the death of AchillesNestor ends his tale, and Tlepolemus, a son of Heracles (Hercules), reproaches him for passing over his father, and Nestor says that Heracles killed all his brothers except Periclymenus, whom Poseidon (Neptune) had given the power to change his shape, and who escaped by turning into an eagle until Heracles shot him. Poseidon, angry at the death of Cycnus, asks Apollo to destroy Achilles, and Apollo directs Paris' arrow, which kills him. His ashes lie in a small urn, and the contest for his armour begins.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.253–312The Great FloodZeus (Jupiter, 'Jove' in More's translation) puts away his thunderbolts, fearing that the heavens will burn, and decides to drown the world instead. He calls on the South Wind and on Poseidon (Neptune) and the rivers, and the sea breaks over the land. Fields, flocks and houses are swept away, and fish swim among the tree-tops where goats once grazed.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 11.194–265Laomedon and Hesione; Peleus and ThetisApollo and Poseidon (Neptune) build the walls of Troy for King Laomedon, who cheats them of their pay, and Poseidon sends a sea-monster, to which Hesione is exposed, until Heracles (Hercules) saves her. Laomedon again breaks his word, and Heracles takes the city. Peleus marries the sea-goddess Thetis after he holds her through all her changes of shape, and she bears Achilles.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.1–145Arachne and AthenaArachne, a girl of Lydia famed for her weaving, refuses to say that her skill came from Athena (Minerva) and challenges the goddess to a contest. Athena appears as an old woman and warns her, and then reveals herself, and both begin to weave. Athena's tapestry shows the contest of the gods for Athens and warnings to mortals, Arachne's the loves of the gods, and when the goddess can find no fault she tears it and strikes Arachne, who hangs herself and is turned into a spider.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.64–145Achilles and CycnusThe Greeks land at Troy, and Hector kills Protesilaus, and Achilles meets Cycnus, a son of Poseidon (Neptune) whose skin no weapon can pierce. Achilles strangles him with the straps of his helmet, and Cycnus is turned into a swan.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10.519–709Aphrodite and Adonis; Atalanta and HippomenesAdonis grows into a youth so beautiful that Aphrodite (Venus) herself, wounded by one of Eros' (Cupid's) arrows, falls in love with him and gives up heaven to be with him. She warns him to avoid dangerous beasts and tells him the tale of Atalanta, who would marry only the man who could beat her in a foot-race, the loser being killed. Hippomenes wins her with the help of Aphrodite, who gives him three golden apples to throw before her, and is later turned with Atalanta into a lion for profaning a temple of Cybele. Aphrodite ends her warning, and Adonis does not heed it.

Pausanias (52)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.1.1–9Isthmus of Corinth: early Corinth, the robbers of Theseus and the temple of PoseidonPausanias opens the Corinthian book with the origins of Corinth, the Roman destruction by Mummius and the later refoundation. He notes Cromyon and the sow Phaea, the pine-tree and altar of Melicertes, and the robber Sinis killed by Theseus, and discusses attempts to cut through the Isthmus. He then describes the sanctuary of Poseidon, its theatre and stadium, the statue groups given by Herodes and the Nereids.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.2.1–8Corinth: Palaemon’s shrine, the ports, the tomb of Lais and the market-placeWithin the Isthmian precinct Pausanias describes the temple of Palaemon and the altar of the Cyclopes, and the conduct of the Isthmian games after Mummius. He then describes Lechaeum and Cenchreae with their sanctuaries and the bath of Helen, and on the road to Corinth the tomb of Diogenes and the Craneum, where the grave of Lais lies. In the market-place he lists images of Artemis, Dionysus and others, with the story of the images made from Pentheus’ tree.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.33.1–5Troezenian islands: Sphaeria and Calauria, and the tomb of DemosthenesPausanias describes Sphaeria, the island joined to the land, and how Aethra there received Poseidon and founded the temple of Apaturian Athena, which changed its name to the Sacred Isle. He then describes Calauria, once exchanged between Apollo and Poseidon, with its sanctuary of Poseidon and the tomb of Demosthenes, and recounts the Harpalus affair that shows Demosthenes was not bribed.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7.21.1–14Patrae: Coresus and Callirhoe, the harbour sanctuaries and the mirror oraclePausanias tells the story of Coresus, priest of Dionysus at Calydon, whose love for Callirhoe led Dionysus to madden the Calydonians until Coresus sacrificed Callirhoe or someone who would die for her. Coresus killed himself instead of the girl, and Callirhoe then killed herself at the spring that bears her name. He lists the sanctuaries of Patrae: the precinct of the three Dionysus images, the sanctuary of Safety, Poseidon Hippius, Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo and Demeter. Beside Demeter's spring the sick consult a mirror let down on a cord, and there are also two sanctuaries of Serapis and one of Aesculapius.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7.24.1–13Aegium and Helice: the sanctuaries and the destruction of HelicePausanias lists the sanctuaries beside the market-place and sea at Aegium, including that of Homagyrian Zeus, where Agamemnon assembled the Greek chiefs, and describes the bronze child Zeus and Hercules by Ageladas. He then turns to Helice, where the Achaeans put suppliants to death in the sanctuary of Heliconian Poseidon, and the city was swallowed by an earthquake and the sea. He lists the signs that precede earthquakes and describes their kinds, and compares Helice to a city lost under Mount Sipylus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.10.1–10Mantinea: the sanctuary of Horse Poseidon and the battle against AgisPausanias describes the roads out of Mantinea, the stadium where games for Antinous are held, Mount Alesius and the old sanctuary of Horse Poseidon, closed off only by a woollen thread, for cutting which Aepytus was struck blind. He describes the stone trophy for the victory over King Agis, won when Aratus fell back and the Arcadians closed round the Spartans. He ends with the long-lived deer of Arcesilaus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.25.1–13Thelpusa: Demeter Fury, Poseidon and the horse ArionPausanias follows the road from Psophis to Thelpusa and the course of the Ladon, noting the sanctuary of Eleusinian Demeter and the temples of Aesculapius and the Twelve Gods. At Onceum he describes Demeter Fury and Lusia, with the story that Demeter, turned into a mare, was taken by Poseidon in the form of a horse and bore the horse Arion, and he cites the Iliad, the Thebaid and Antimachus on Arion and Adrastus. He also mentions the sanctuary of the Boy Aesculapius and the tomb of Trygon, and the confluence of the Ladon with the Alpheus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.22.1–9Argos: sanctuaries of Hera and Latona, the Dioscuri, Hecate and the gymnasium of CylarabesSouth of the Latona sanctuary Pausanias describes the temple of Flowery Hera and the grave of the Sea-Women, the sanctuary of Pelasgian Demeter, a bronze vessel said to hold the bones of Tantalus, and the shrine of Poseidon of the Dashing Wave. He then lists the grave of Argus, the temple of the Dioscuri, the sanctuary of Ilithyia founded by Helen, and the temple of Hecate with images by Scopas, Polyclitus and Naucydes. He ends with the tomb of Sacadas and the gymnasium of Cylarabes.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7.4.1–10Samos and Chios: the Heraeum, Smilis and DaedalusPausanias recounts the Ionian settlement of Samos under Procles of Epidaurus, quoting Asius on the earlier line of Phoenix and Ancaeus, and the Ephesian attack under Androclus. He discusses the sanctuary of Hera, which the Samians say was founded where the goddess was born by the Imbrasus under a willow, and the old image by the Aeginetan Smilis. A digression on Daedalus, his flight from Athens to Minos and then to Cocalus in Sicily, follows. The section ends with the legendary history of Chios according to Ion, from Poseidon and Oenopion to King Hector.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.3.1–11Corinth: the agora, the spring Pirene and the children of MedeaPausanias continues through Corinth: the bronze Athena, the temple of Octavia, the portal with chariots of the Sun, and the spring Pirene with its link to Corinthian bronze. He lists images of Hermes, Poseidon and Palaemon, the baths and fountains, and the road to Sicyon with the Glauce basin and the tomb of Medea’s children. He recounts the varied stories of Medea, Jason and her children, drawn from the Naupactia, Eumelus and others.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.30.1–10Aegina’s cults of Hecate and Aphaea; the early history of TroezenPausanias lists Aegina’s temples, Hecate’s mysteries with Myron’s image, the sanctuary of Aphaea and the Cretan legend of Britomartis, and the sanctuary of Panhellenian Zeus, referring readers to Herodotus for the images of Auxesia and Damia. He then turns to Troezenia, giving its legendary kings from Orus and Althepus through Saron, Hyperes and Anthas to Pittheus and Troezen, and notes Dorian rule from Argos and the colonies founded from Troezen.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.32.1–10Troezen: Hippolytus’ precinct, the acropolis and the roads from the cityPausanias describes the precinct of Hippolytus with its temple, annual rites and offerings of maidens’ hair, the stadium and the temple of Peeping Aphrodite above it, Phaedra’s myrtle and tomb. He then covers the temple of Athena Sthenias on the acropolis, the sanctuary of Pan the Deliverer, temples of Isis and Aphrodite of the Height, the rock of Theseus, and sanctuaries of Poseidon and Demeter. He ends with the harbour, Genethlium, the twisted olive and the sanctuary of Saronian Artemis.

40 more passages of Pausanias that name Poseidon

Quintus Smyrnaeus (3)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 14.548–658The wreck of the Argive fleetAias swims on through the storm until Poseidon splits the rock and buries him. The fleet is wrecked, and Nauplius lures some ships on to the rocks with a false beacon. Poseidon, Zeus and Apollo then flood the Argive wall at Troy, and the survivors go home as heaven guides them.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.665–787The pyre of AchillesAt dawn the Argives raise a great pyre, and Achilles is burned with the horses and men slain round it. His companions gather his bones into a silver casket, which the Nereids anoint and lay in a golden vase given by Thetis, and the Argives heap a barrow by the Hellespont. His immortal horses mourn him, and Poseidon rises from the sea to console Thetis.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 9.210–320Apollo and Poseidon check NeoptolemusNeoptolemus drives against Deiphobus, who is snatched away by Apollo in a cloud, and Zeus then lifts the cloud. Neoptolemus presses the Trojans to the Scaean Gate. Apollo comes down to strike him as he struck his father, but Poseidon strengthens the Greeks, and Apollo yields.

Nonnus of Panopolis (19)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 37.236–421Book 37: The chariot race: Erechtheus passes Scelmis; Actaion upsets PhaunosThe race begins, and Scelmis in his sea-horse chariot leads at first. Erechtheus, praying to Athena, overtakes him on the last lap. Actaion upsets Phaunos' chariot by a trick, and Achates taunts Phaunos as he catches up.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 43.0–142Book 43: The battle of sea and vine beginsAres and Hymenaios sound the call to war for Beroe's hand, while the maiden, silent, prefers Dionysos to a sea-god husband. Poseidon arms with his trident and Dionysos rides his mother Rheia's lion-drawn car wreathed in vine. Dionysos addresses his host and swears that Poseidon shall not harm Beroe's city.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 1.0–133Book 1: Invocation; Zeus carries Europa across the seaThe poet asks the Muse to tell of the twice-born Dionysos and calls for the wand, cymbals and fawnskin of his rites, picturing Proteus's many shapes as the god's. Zeus, as a bull, carries Europa over the sea while Eros drives him and the sea-gods marvel. The girl cries out to the shores, to her father and to Boreas.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 41.0–118Book 41: Beroe, the oldest city, where Aphrodite first landedDionysos plants vines under Lebanon and roofs a grove for Adonis and Aphrodite. The poet invokes the Muses to sing the war of Poseidon and Dionysos over Amymone. He describes Beroe between mountain and sea, the first city of earth-sprung men, older than Zeus, and claims that Aphrodite, newly born from the foam, came ashore there and not at Cyprus.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 42.322–437Book 42: Dionysos dreams of Beroe and reveals himselfDionysos falls asleep on anemone leaves and dreams of marrying Beroe, then wakes to find only emptiness. He hunts beside her father Adonis, and she hides her face from him. Appearing as a god before her, he tells his name and deeds and warns her of Poseidon's record, offering her praise instead of gold, but she stops her ears with her fingers.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 43.307–449Book 43: Zeus ends the battle; Poseidon weds Beroe; Eros consoles DionysosBassarids, Satyrs and Seilenoi fight the sea-gods, and Psamathe prays to Zeus to save the Nereids from Dionysos. Zeus grants Beroe to Poseidon and halts Dionysos with thunder. The sea-gods celebrate the wedding with rich gifts, and Poseidon gives her city victory at sea. Eros consoles Dionysos by promising him another bride, Aura of Phrygia, and Dionysos returns to Lydia, Rheia and then Europe.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 6.258–388Book 6: The flood; Pan and Galateia; the earth renewedLand and sea creatures mingle in the flood, and Pan and Galateia talk as she swims past him. The rivers Nile, Alpheios and Pyramos wander in search of their loves. Deucalion floats in his ark, and Poseidon splits a mountain to let the water run off, so that cities are built again.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 10.0–138Book 10: Athamas' madness; Ino leaps into the seaAthamas, driven mad, flogs a she-goat for his wife, hunts his son Learchos as a stag and kills him, and boils Melicertes in a cauldron. Ino snatches the child and runs to the sea, calling on Zeus and Hermes. She leaps in and is received by Poseidon as Leucothea, and Semele mocks her from heaven.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 21.90–177Book 21: Earthquake and madness in Arabia; Lycurgos is blindedPoseidon shakes Arabia with his trident, and Megaira drives the Nysian women to kill their children. Lycurgos, still bound, defies the gods and demands fire to burn the vines, until Hera cuts him free and Zeus makes him a blind wanderer, though the Arabs later worship him as a god. Under the sea the Nereids, Ino and Melicertes entertain Dionysos.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 36.0–95Book 36: Dionysos recovers; the gods take sidesThe armies form up and the Olympians divide into two parties. Athena wounds Ares, Hera overcomes Artemis with a cloud and a lump of hail and mocks her, and Apollo prepares to fight Poseidon.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 39.212–294Book 39: The fight at sea; the gods look onAres, Rout and Terror join the sea fight, which fills the water with blood and corpses. The Nereids watch, Galatea fears for Polyphemos, and Poseidon complains to Dionysos that his son the Cyclops is not in the battle.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 39.295–407Book 39: The sea-battle: arrows, the fire-ship and the Indian retreatArrows and spears fly across the water, and Dionysos wounds Morrheus, who has to withdraw. Zeus, Poseidon, Melicertes and the winds help the Bacchic side, and Eurymedon sets his own ship on fire and sends it among the enemy. The Indian fleet retreats to land, and Deriades flees.

7 more passages of Nonnus of Panopolis that name Poseidon

Bacchylides (3)

Bacchylides, Dithyrambs 17.1–132Dithyramb 17: Theseus and MinosA ship bears Theseus and fourteen Athenian youths and maidens to Crete, where Minos lays a hand on a maiden and Theseus rebukes him. Minos asks Zeus for a sign and challenges Theseus to bring back his gold ring from the sea. Theseus dives, is carried by dolphins to the hall of his father Poseidon and robed by Amphitrite, and comes back unwetted to the ship while the Athenians sing a paean.
Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 12.1–14.23Odes 12–14: Pytheas of Aegina and the Aeacidae; Cleoptolemus of ThessalyOde 12 asks Cleio to guide the poet to Aegina and to a wrestler's victory at Nemea, but only its opening survives. Ode 13, for Pytheas of Aegina, shows Heracles, the descendant of Perseus, mastering the Nemean lion, praises Aegina and her heroes Peleus, Telamon, Achilles and Ajax, and tells how Achilles' anger let the Trojans drive the Greeks to their ships until Ajax stopped Hector. It ends with praise of the trainer Menander and of the host Lampon. Ode 14 reflects that fortune can crush or exalt a man before honouring Cleoptolemus of Thessaly and the domain of Poseidon Petraios.
Bacchylides, Dithyrambs 19.1–20.11Dithyrambs 19–20: Io and Argus; Idas and MarpessaDithyramb 19 tells of Io, driven by the gadfly, and asks whether Hermes slew the watcher Argus or lulled him to sleep. She came to the banks of the Nile and bore Epaphus, and from that race sprang Cadmus and Dionysus. Dithyramb 20, a fragment, tells how the maidens of Lacedaemon sang of Idas bringing home Marpessa in a chariot given by Poseidon.

Orpheus (attributed) (1)

Orpheus (attributed), Orphic Hymns 17–21Hymns 17-21: Neptune, Pluto, Thundering Jove, Jove the Author of Lightning, the CloudsNeptune is invoked as the dark-haired, earth-shaking ruler of the sea, and Pluto as the lord of the underworld, whose realm lies in Tartarus among the pale shades of the dead. Two hymns address Zeus as the thunderer and the author of lightning, calling on his fiery light and his roaring storm. The group closes with the Clouds, the aerial parents of fertile rains.

Poseidon in the ancient sources

Hesiod (5)

Homer (36)

Apollodorus (19)

Pindar (9)

Aeschylus (1)

Sophocles (3)

Euripides (9)

Apollonius Rhodius (3)

Theocritus (1)

Aristophanes (6)

Diodorus Siculus (7)

Ovid (10)

Pausanias (52)

Quintus Smyrnaeus (3)

Nonnus of Panopolis (19)

Bacchylides (3)

Orpheus (attributed) (1)