Poseidon and the Walls of Troy

To punish their rebellion against his authority, Zeus stripped Poseidon and Apollo of their divine powers for one year, sentencing them to serve King Laomedon of Troy. The king tasked the gods with a monumental labor: constructing impenetrable walls around his city. Apollo played his golden lyre, charming the stones into place, while Poseidon used his immense strength to haul the massive blocks from the mountains. When the magnificent fortifications were complete, Troy stood as the strongest city in the world. However, when the time came for payment, the greedy King Laomedon reneged on his oath, refusing to give the gods the wages he had promised and even threatening to sell them into slavery. Enraged by this mortal's hubris and deceit, Poseidon reclaimed his divinity and sent a terrifying sea monster to ravage the Trojan coast. Though the walls remained standing, the king's treachery earned Troy the permanent enmity of the sea god, ensuring his divine wrath would eventually contribute to the city's total destruction during the Trojan War.

“A king's word is his bond, but a broken oath to the gods is the seed of his city's ruin.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Poseidon and the Walls of Troy?

The moral is that dishonesty and failing to honor one's agreements, particularly out of greed, will lead to long-term consequences and the loss of protection from those who supported you.

Why were Poseidon and Apollo forced to build the walls?

Zeus ordered them to serve King Laomedon as a punishment for their participation in a failed rebellion against his rule on Mount Olympus.

Who helped Poseidon build the walls of Troy?

The god Apollo assisted by playing his lyre to move stones with music, and in some versions, the mortal hero Aeacus helped build a specific section of the wall.

How did King Laomedon betray the gods?

After the walls were completed, the king refused to pay the gods the gold he had promised and threatened to cut off their ears and sell them as slaves.

How did Poseidon punish the city of Troy?

Poseidon sent a monstrous sea creature called a Cetus to terrorize the kingdom and later supported the Greeks during the Trojan War to see the city destroyed.

Was there a weakness in the walls of Troy?

According to legend, because the mortal Aeacus helped build one section, that specific part of the wall was the only place where the city could be breached.