In Greek Religion, Triton is one of the sons of God Poseidon and his consort Amphitrite. He lives in a golden underwater palace, along with His parents and siblings. Triton is depicted as a human with a fishtail from the waist below.
Triton is a member of Poseidon's marine entourage. His trademark is a large conch shell,which He uses as a trumpet. Apart from escorting His Father, Triton is often seen accompanying other Gods, such as Zeus and Aphrodite. He also escorted Leto to the island of Delos, where She was able to give birth to Apollo and Artemis.
Triton is also known to help mortals in difficult times, as He did during the campaign of the Argonauts. When they found themselves stranded in lake Tritonis in Libya, Triton Himself carried the ship towards the open sea. Even though He is a marine deity, Triton has also been associated with lakes and and rivers- and the Argonaut story is another indication of this association.
Just like the sea in which He Dwells, Triton can be both a benevolent God and a raw, violent force. He is usually depicted joyous and playful, filled with erotic desires towards the Nymphs of the Sea- yet, He can easily command the waves to rise and destroy, through His conch-shell trumpet.
Over time, the name Triton covered an entire category of sea creatures very similar to mermaids- both male and female, who are often seen escorting Poseidon and other Gods.
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