In Greek mythology, Poseidon carried a trident and ruled the sea.
Poseidon was one of the sons of Cronus and Rhea and a brother of Zeus and Hades. After the Titans were defeated, the three brothers divided the cosmos by lot. Poseidon received the sea, Zeus the sky, and Hades the underworld. Poseidon also had power over earthquakes and horses, making his identity broader than that of a sea deity alone.
The trident is his defining attribute in ancient art and later retellings. Greek sailors and coastal communities honored him because storms and calm seas could determine travel, trade, and survival.
Poseidon was also a major competitor for the patronage of Athens. Athena won that contest by offering the olive tree, while Poseidon’s gift was commonly represented as a saltwater spring or a horse, depending on the version.