Amphitrite refused to marry Poseidon primarily due to her deep fear of his tempestuous and unpredictable nature.
The Rejection of Poseidon
When Poseidon, the mighty god of the sea, first encountered Amphitrite, a beautiful Nereid, he was immediately captivated. He laid eyes on her while she was dancing gracefully with her sisters on the isle of Naxos during low tide. Overwhelmed by love at first sight, he swiftly proposed marriage to her.
However, Amphitrite did not accept his proposal. Her decision stemmed from a significant apprehension:
- Fear of His Temperament: Amphitrite harbored a profound fear of Poseidon's known volatile and tempestuous nature. His immense power over the oceans was often reflected in his stormy personality, causing her concern about a life tied to such an unpredictable deity.
- Flight for Refuge: Unable to reconcile with the idea of marrying him given her fears, Amphitrite chose to flee his advances. She sought refuge far from the sea, retreating to the remote and mountainous regions of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa.
Despite her initial refusal and flight, Poseidon eventually managed to win her over, often with the help of intermediaries like his dolphin, Delphin, who convinced her to return and accept his hand.
