Neptune One of the Best

Neptune

One of the best known deities in all of mythology, and Roman mythology in particular, is the one called Neptune. Roman mythology parallels Greek mythology in its main stock of dieties, and in this case, the god Neptune is referred to as Poseidon in Greek myth. In fact, Neptune seems to have originated in Roman mythology after Poseidon was well established in Greece, therefore, "when he was first introduced in Rome, he already had all the characteristics of the Greek Poseidon" (Lindemans). It may be due to the fact that Neptune came along after Poseidon that precious little information for this deity seems to be found under his Roman name, but much more extensive information may be found instead under his Greek name.

Neptune was one of the sons of the Titans, Kronos and Rhea. Among his siblings were Jupiter (Zeus), Mercury (Hades), Demeter, Hera, and Hestia. Neptune's wife was named Amphitrite, and he begot many children (most of them not born unto Amphitrite), including Triton (half man, half-fish), Charybdis and Antaeus, born from Gaia, Chrysaor and Pegasus from Medusa, Nauplios from Amymone, and Theseus from Aithra. He also bore the child, Urion, with his brothers by urinating onto an ox hide and burying it in the ground in order to provide a son for a poor farmer named Hyrieus (Hansen 332).

Neptune was known in both Roman and Greek legend as the god of water, but more specifically, the god of the sea which, according to some legends, he gained lordship over after drawing lots for each realm with his two brothers, and according to other legends, he gained as a result of the honor bestowed upon him after Jupiter became king of the gods (Hansen 266). More prominent in Greek mythology than Roman, however, Neptune was also known as the god of earthquakes and of horses, going also by the name of "Earthshaker" (Miles). He is also known as "Earth-Holder," "Dark Haired One," or "Dark Blue Haired One" (Hansen 266). One of his best-known names, in fact, was Gaiochos, which meant "earth-holding" (Room 260). In ancient art he is seen as a middle aged man with long hair and a beard who seems to resemble his brother Jupiter, with the exception that he carries a trident instead of a thunderbolt through which he wields his power (Miles). He is usually surrounded by mermen (called "Tritons"), dolphins, and other sea creatures as well as bulls and horses, and he is often depicted riding in his shell-shaped chariot drawn by either horses or hippocampi -- creatures with the body of a horse and tail of a fish (Hansen 269). Neptune is the god who is credited for such things as earthquakes, thunderstorms at sea, sending floods, drowning sailors, calling forth sea monsters, and drying up or creating freshwater springs (Hansen 266).

Although Neptune was revered more by Greek sailors than Roman sailors for his association with the sea, the Romans revered him more as the patron god of horse racing. Several temples dedicated to Neptune Equester were located near race tracks, including Circus Flaminius and Campus Martius (Lindemans). With regard to Neptune's association with horses, it is important to note that when he did transform into another shape as all gods are capable of doing, he was most likely to be found in the form of a horse, particularly when pursuing sexual encounters.

Known for being a violent god, "like the element he rules, he can be fierce of temper . . . And as ruthless as his brother in his sexual affairs" (Miles). Neptune was engaged in many affairs, consensual and forced, heterosexual and homosexual. Despite having a marital allegiance to Amphitrite, he also raped Caenis (which resulted in her transformation into the invulnerable male Caenus), loved Mestra, and had sexual encounters with Gaia, Medusa, Scylla, Demeter, Amymone, Aithra, and Tantalos' son, Pelops.

With regard to Neptune's sexual encounters, one of the more famous myths about him involves his pursuit of the goddess, Demeter. One day Neptune discovered Demeter as she searched for her daughter, who had been abducted, and he began to pursue her in hopes that he would engage her in sexual intercourse. Demeter fled from him, and in order to escape him she transformed herself into a mare and blended in, joining a group of mares grazing in a field. Neptune was not fooled, however, and transformed himself into a stallion, and it was in their equine forms that Neptune won Demeter. From their union was born Areion, a divine horse (Hansen 267). Neptune was also somewhat known for his generosity and justness however, as is evidenced by his contribution to create Urion for the farmer, in one story, and in his judgment of King Laomedon for his refusal to pay his workers, in another legend (Hansen 268).

For sure, Neptune was a very interesting character in Roman (and Greek) mythology, and indeed, if he were to live in today's culture, he would not be able to fit into any one stereotype. As a god, he would of course live in some form of mansion or castle, located somewhere very much associated with the sea and perhaps a little associated with horses, for example, Chincoteague Island, or likely somewhere even more exotic. However, it seems also as though he may need to locate himself in a more metropolitan area, surrounded by the sea, perhaps known for its fishing industry, for the reason that he would need to be situated in the best area possible for him to be able to maintain his adulterous hobbies. On an island like Chincoteague, he would not likely be able to find many subjects for his lust, unless he populated the island himself with women transformed into mares which he could pursue.

Considering Neptune would live in a metropolitan area and continue to maintain his adulterous relationships, he might fit into the category of a playboy. In this case, he would likely frequent many upscale gentleman's clubs, night clubs, and strip joints, and possibly have a little black book of women (and men) who he could call at his leisure whenever he felt lonely. It would not be surprising, either, if Neptune actually owned several of the clubs he frequented. He would probably maintain the appearance of being completely heterosexual, but hide the fact that he is quietly engaging in homosexual acts. He would likely have loud, erotic parties in his multi-million dollar home several times a week. It might not be out of the ordinary either if Neptune were to attend a showing of the play Equus, in which a young boy has sexual encounters with a horse. By virtue of the fact that Neptune was also known as dangerous, violent, and temperamental, it is possible that he could also hold a position as a drug lord, with his access to multiple dangerous organizations and people who would wipe out anyone when paid enough money, and with his access to as much sexual pleasure as he could possibly dream of.