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Mythographia

    Zeus vs. Poseidon

    Zeus and Poseidon are brothers, and Homer sets them against each other in Iliad 15, when Zeus orders Poseidon out of the Trojan war. Poseidon calls himself Zeus's equal and refuses, then gives way. No fight between them is narrated in the passages checked here. Elsewhere Poseidon defers to Zeus as the elder.

    By Reviewed by Mythographia Editorial Team
    Circular bronze engraving of Zeus, bearded, gripping a lightning bolt across his chest
    Zeus
    Poseidon in bronze medallion style, bearded with wave-like hair, holding a trident as the solid-bronze accent symbol
    Poseidon

    How They Compare

    The quarrel between Zeus and Poseidon is mostly a quarrel about authority, and Homer tells it as a short exchange of messages, not a battle. The page sets out the episode in Iliad 15, the passages that show the same pair cooperating, and what the sources checked here do and do not say about their relative strength.

    Side by Side

    Comparison of Zeus and Poseidon by aspect
    Aspect Zeus Poseidon
    Claim to rank In Iliad 15 Zeus tells Iris to say that he is the stronger and the elder, and that Poseidon should obey. Poseidon answers that the three brothers are equals who drew lots, and that he need not walk after Zeus's will.
    Side in the Trojan war Zeus favors the Trojans for a time and forbids the other gods to join the fighting. Poseidon helps the Greeks, in secret at first, and is angry at Zeus's favor to Troy (Iliad 13.345-360).
    Behavior under dispute Zeus sends a messenger and does not come himself. Poseidon rages, voices a threat, then yields and leaves the field for the sea.
    Standing in the Odyssey Zeus answers Poseidon's complaint, tells him to do as he pleases and advises how to punish the Phaeacians. Poseidon brings his grievance to Zeus before he acts and says he has always feared Zeus's wrath.
    Attitude to the Achaean wall Zeus answers Poseidon's complaint by telling him to level the wall after the war. Poseidon complains that the Greeks built it without sacrifice and that it will outshine the wall he helped build at Troy.

    Shared between both

    • sons of Cronus who drew lots for the world
    • joint holders of Olympus and the earth
    • gods who take sides in the Trojan war
    • gods who punish mortals who slight them

    Why did Poseidon fight Zeus?

    In the sources checked here he does not fight Zeus, he defies him. Zeus has barred the gods from the war at Troy, and Poseidon has been helping the Greeks. Zeus sends Iris to order him to stop, and Poseidon is angered. He says the brothers drew lots, and that he will not walk after the will of Zeus (Iliad 15.185-199).

    Homer, Iliad 15.185-199

    Did Zeus ever fight Poseidon?

    No combat between them is narrated in the passages checked here. The nearest case is the order in Iliad 15, which Poseidon at first refuses. Iris then tells him that the Erinyes side with the elder-born, and Poseidon says he will yield for now. He threatens lasting anger if Zeus spares Troy against his wishes, then plunges into the sea (Iliad 15.201-219).

    Homer, Iliad 15.201-219

    Is Poseidon stronger than Zeus in Greek mythology?

    The sources checked here give no contest of strength, only what each god says. Zeus's message calls him stronger and elder (Iliad 15.158-167). Poseidon rejects the claim of superiority, but elsewhere he admits that he does not want a conflict with Zeus, who is far mightier (Iliad 8.209-211). Homer also says Zeus was the elder born and the wiser (Iliad 13.345-360).

    Homer, Iliad 8.209-211

    Are Zeus and Poseidon the same?

    No. They are two sons of Cronus and Rhea (Hesiod, Theogony 453-458), and Homer's Poseidon states that the three brothers divided the world by lot, so that Zeus took the sky and Poseidon the sea, with earth and Olympus held in common (Iliad 15.187-193). Each rules a separate portion, which is why Poseidon treats the order as an intrusion.

    Homer, Iliad 15.187-193

    When do Zeus and Poseidon act together?

    They agree over the Achaean wall. Poseidon complains that the Greeks built it without sacrifice, and Zeus tells him to break it down and sweep it into the sea once the Greeks have sailed (Iliad 7.442-463). In the Odyssey Poseidon complains to Zeus about the Phaeacians, and Zeus tells him to do as he pleases and advises him how (Odyssey 13.139-158).

    Homer, Odyssey 13.139-158

    The Two Rivals

    Related Terms

    Sources

    Primary sources
    • Hesiod, Theogony 453-458
    • Homer, Iliad 7.442-463
    • Homer, Iliad 8.209-211
    • Homer, Iliad 13.345-360
    • Homer, Iliad 15.158-167
    • Homer, Iliad 15.185-199
    • Homer, Iliad 15.201-219
    • Homer, Iliad 15.187-193
    • Homer, Odyssey 13.139-158