Poseidon/Neptune

Lucas Huguet

Throughout history, humankind has looked to the heavens and the seas, seeking divine powers to explain the mysteries of life. Among such deities, Poseidon in Greek mythology and his Roman counterpart, Neptune, stand tall as the supreme gods of the sea. In Greek mythology, Poseidon held dominion over the seas, earthquakes, and horses (Morford et al. 167). He was a deity known for his ferocious nature. His temperament symbolizes the dual nature of the ocean: both benevolent and destructive (Morford et al. 167).  Sailors and fishers worshiped Poseidon, as they sought his favor for safe voyages and bountiful catches. He was viewed as a protector of their maritime endeavors, ensuring prosperous trade and victories on the sea. In Roman mythology, Neptune was the equivalent of Poseidon. Adopted from the Greeks, Neptune embodied similar attributes and held a comparable status as the god of the sea and earthquakes. As symbols of power and authority over elemental forces, we will see how their influence has transcended time, finding expression in art forms across the ages.

The example I chose in the modern age of such artwork is the King Neptune statue, located in the city of Virginia Beach, VA. This statue serves as a captivating testament to the enduring legacy of these mythological figures. This stunning bronze work was designed by artist Paul DiPasquale and unveiled in 2005 as part of the city's Neptune Festival, which is an annual celebration of art, music, and culture (2). Standing at an imposing 34 feet in height, King Neptune stands on a solid granite pedestal, his figure evoking strength, nobility, and the sheer magnitude of the ocean's power (2).

The King Neptune statue pays homage to the historical significance of the sea and its connection to the city of Virginia Beach. Nestled on the Atlantic coast, the city's identity is deeply intertwined with the Atlantic ocean. The statue's installation serves as a reminder of the community's reliance on the sea for commerce, tourism, and leisure activities. Furthermore, the choice to depict Neptune in this art form reflects the city's commitment to honoring its heritage by drawing parallels to ancient mythologies and their relevance in contemporary life.

The King Neptune statue itself is laden with symbolic meanings that call back to the archetypical attributes of Neptune in mythology. His trident held firmly in one hand, along with the sea turtle held in the other, as well as the various sea creatures that adorn the base all symbolize his mastery over the powerful forces that govern the seas. The commanding posture of Neptune's body exudes an aura of regality, emphasizing his role as the divine monarch of the ocean realm. The statue's facial expression captures both the magnificence and temperance of the sea. His eyes gaze out to the horizon, embodying a sense of wisdom, while his furrowed brow represents unpredictability and turbulence that lies beneath the ocean's surface.

In conclusion, the King Neptune statue in Virginia Beach, VA, is not merely an artistic installation but a tribute to the enduring mythology of Poseidon and Neptune in both art and culture. By immortalizing these gods of the sea, the statue is a reminder of the interplay between humanity and nature throughout history. As visitors and locals stand before the majestic statue, they are drawn into thinking about ancient myth and contemporary society. Poseidon and Neptune's mythical influence continues to resonate, perpetuating the narrative of humanity's eternal fascination with the forces of nature.

Byron Jeter

Few characters survive the test of 2000 years. Those who do live on as Legends, symbols of ideas and aspects of the culture that died long ago. And while the people and cultures of Ancient Greece may be extinct, they are survived by the symbols of their times. One of the most well known symbols is Poseidon. While most people may not know the in-depth stories of Poseidon, I bet anyone could tell you who he is, and what makes him special.

This artwork was created by an AI that generates images. This essentially works by having the AI learn everything we humans have made about Poseidon. From sculptures, to text, to paintings, to TV and movies. This AI has learned it all. So when it created the image of Poseidon, its understanding in a sense, is a reflection of our own ideals of Poseidon. This is a beautiful thing, it means people who never studied Greek Mythology can look at this image and already know what Poseidon symbolizes.

From this image we can truly see the aspects of Poseidon that have survived the 2000 years since his creation. The aspects that have integrated with our modern societies culture and media. This art reflects the human understanding of Poseidon.

In the art we see Poseidon standing in the Sea. He appears very tall and muscular. I believe this spoke to the ideals of Masculinity in Ancient Greece. Poseidon, being a powerful manly figure acts almost as a paragon for the Greek idea of masculinity. Additionally, he has long hair, an impressive beard. He is wielding his Trident, and a blade in the other hand. Poseidon appears to be looking into the Sea. This along with his stance and body language reflect the idea that Poseidon is the god of the Sea. The sea was a very important part of ancient Greece, in the words of our professor, “Both the mainland and the islands of Greece have a vast amount of coastline, meaning that the sea was a prominent part of many ancient Greek peoples' lives. The sea was an essential part of the Greek economy and Military” (1). Poseidon being a god of such a vital part of Ancient Greek life speaks to how important praying to him was. He appears to be watching over his domain. Paired with the ideas of Masculinity, this painting really illustrates the classical idea of being a protector.

The image overall does a great job of illustrating the ideas of Poseidon that have withstood the passage of time. One serving not just as a relic that connects the ancient ideas of Greece, but as a reflection of what Poseidon represents in our modern day. This culmination of ideas is what makes Poseidon mythical.

Works Cited

Morford, Mark, et al. Classical Mythology. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (12th Edition). Oxford University Press Academic US, 2023.

(2) “Neptune Statue.” Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, 1 Sept. 2022, www.neptunefestival.com/about/statue/. Accessed 31 July 2023.

(1) Lesson 3: Video Lecture #2: Creatures from the Deep: Poseidon and Sea Divinities, https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1643084/pages/lesson-3-video-lectures?module_item_id=1853920 2. Accessed 31 July 2023.