Polyphemus: The Cyclops Son of Poseidon - Greek Mythology - See U in History

Polyphemus is a powerful cyclops, son of Poseidon, the god of the seas. Due to his enormous size, few dare to approach the one-eyed creature. The cyclops lived in a cave near the Etna in Sicily. He kept goats as cattle for his own livelihood. Despite being Poseidon's son, he had no luck in love due to his horrifying looks. But he was in love with the Nereid Galathea, a beautiful sea nymph that paraded herself in the seas, riding her dolphin-pulled chariot. However, she despised him. The gigantic cyclops, albeit saddened, withstood such rejection. But seeing Galathea sleeping with a young shepherd, Polyphemus was consumed by jealousy and threw a huge stone, killing the poor boy. But his most famous myth portrays his encounter with the hero Odysseus, also known as Ulysses. The hero, who was going home after the Trojan War, stopped on the island where Polyphemus lived. Odysseus and his crew entered the cave of the cyclops, since they were chasing his goats in need of supplies. Polyphemus imprisoned them inside his cavern. And, if it wasn't for Odysseus' wisdom, who inebriated the monster and pierced his eye, everyone would have been condemned. The cyclops still tried to sink Odysseus' ship, throwing huge stones. But, due to his now-debilitated vision, the Greeks managed to escape. Polyphemus begged Poseidon, his father, to avenge his son. And so, Odysseus had to face the wrath of the god of the seas all the way until he was finally able to reach home.