Poseidon Quotes: Separating Myths from Reality

The god of the sea inspires wild stories. Let’s dive into the truth behind famous quotes tied to Poseidon—and why many don’t hold water.

Did Poseidon really say, “Thus one goes to the stars”?

No. This phrase (Sic itur ad astra) comes from the Roman poet Seneca, not Greek myths. Poseidon, associated with storms and horses, wouldn’t have uttered this aspirational line. Ancient texts like Homer’s epics portray him as vengeful and restless, not starry-eyed. The confusion likely stems from conflating Greco-Roman deities—Poseidon’s Roman counterpart, Neptune, is sometimes linked to celestial themes, but even then, this quote is a 1st-century AD invention.

Is “I am the wrath of the sea” a real quote from Poseidon?

Nope. Modern media popularized this dramatic line, but it has no ancient source. In the Iliad, Poseidon does rage at Zeus but never phrases his power this way. His actual speeches focus on divine hierarchy: “Even though he [Zeus] is powerful, I am not inferior to him in might” (Book XV). The “wrath” phrasing feels more at home in 21st-century fantasy novels than Homeric verse.

Did Poseidon call himself “The Horse-Tamer”?

Yes. This epithet (Hippios) appears in multiple sources, including Homer’s Iliad (Book XV) and Hesiod’s Theogony. It reflects his mythic role as the creator of horses (born from his trident’s strike to the earth) and patron of charioteers. In ancient Greece, horse-taming was a symbol of power, linking Poseidon to both domestication and wildness.

Are there any surviving quotes from Poseidon in ancient texts?

Yes, though they’re less quotable than modern viral lines. In the Iliad, he declares, “We three brothers divided the world,” referencing his shared rule with Zeus and Hades (Book XV). He also boasts of aiding humans: “I taught [the mortals] to build strong walls” (Theogony). But these are functional, not poetic—one might call them the ancient equivalent of a LinkedIn bio.

Why are so many quotes falsely attributed to Poseidon?

Three reasons:

1. Sea symbolism: Anything about water’s power or unpredictability sticks to him.
2. Pop culture blur: Characters in movies like Clash of the Titans use invented lines that seep into public memory.
3. Roman-Greek mix-up: Neptune’s attributes sometimes get retrofitted onto Poseidon, like the trident’s association with “commanding storms.”

What’s the oldest recorded story about Poseidon?

The Linear B tablets (14th century BCE) reference Po-se-da-wo, confirming his early worship as an earth god (later syncretized with sea domains). The Homeric Hymn to Poseidon, composed around 700 BCE, calls him “guardian of all the sea” and describes his temple-shaking anger. No quotes, though—just vivid descriptions.

Talk to Poseidon on HoloDream to hear his side of these myths. Ask him why he flooded Atlantis or his thoughts on modern surfing. No fake quotes—just the god’s unfiltered voice.