Poseidon’s children in Greek mythology include the hero Theseus, the Cyclops Polyphemus, the winged horse Pegasus, and the demigod Orion, among many others. He fathered both famous immortals and mortal heroes with goddesses, nymphs, and mortal women, and his offspring appear throughout Greek myths.
Who Was Poseidon?
Poseidon was one of the twelve Olympian gods and the brother of Zeus and Hades. After the overthrow of their father Cronus, the three brothers drew lots to divide the cosmos: Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea. He was also called the “Earth-shaker” because he caused earthquakes and storms, and he was associated with horses and bulls. His usual attributes in art include a trident, a chariot drawn by hippocamps (horse-fish creatures), and a beard.
Poseidon’s Divine Children
Several of Poseidon’s children were gods or monsters, and they often appear in myths as forces of nature. The most famous are:
- Pegasus – the winged horse, born from the blood of Medusa after Perseus beheaded her. Poseidon was Medusa’s lover in some versions, making Pegasus his son.
- Polyphemus – the one-eyed Cyclops who captured Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. He was the son of Poseidon and the nymph Thoosa.
- Charybdis – a sea monster who swallowed and regurgitated water, creating whirlpools. In some sources she was the daughter of Poseidon and Gaia.
- Antaeus – a giant who forced strangers to wrestle him and drew strength from the earth. He was the son of Poseidon and Gaia.
- Proteus – a shape-shifting sea god who knew the past, present, and future. He was sometimes called Poseidon’s son, but in Homer he is an old man of the sea.
- Triton – a merman who blew a conch shell to calm or raise waves. He was the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite, and he is often depicted as his father’s herald.
Poseidon’s Heroic Children
Many Greek heroes claimed Poseidon as their father. These heroes often had to complete a labor or prove their divine lineage. Some of the most notable are:
- Theseus – the king of Athens who slew the Minotaur. His mother Aethra slept with both Aegeus and Poseidon on the same night, so Theseus had two possible fathers.
- Bellerophon – the hero who rode Pegasus and defeated the Chimera. His father was Poseidon, though some sources say he was the son of Glaucus.
- Orion – a giant hunter who was placed among the stars. He was the son of Poseidon and the nymph Euryale, and he could walk on water because of his father.
- Nausithous – the king of the Phaeacians in Homer’s Odyssey. He was the son of Poseidon and Periboea.
- Eumolpus – a Thracian king and priest who founded the Eleusinian Mysteries. He was the son of Poseidon and Chione.
Poseidon’s Children with Mortal Women
Poseidon had many mortal lovers, and his children with them often became kings or founders of cities. For example, he fathered Albus and Neleus with Tyro, a mortal princess. Neleus became king of Pylos and was the father of Nestor, the wise old counselor in the Iliad. Poseidon also fathered Boeotus and Hellen with Arne, and Pelias with Tyro (in some versions). These children often had to deal with the jealousy of Poseidon’s wife Amphitrite, but they were still honored as royalty.
Poseidon’s Children in Art and Cult
Poseidon’s children were not just mythical figures; they were also worshipped in some Greek cities. For instance, Theseus was a major hero in Athens, and his supposed tomb was a sanctuary. Triton was worshipped in Boeotia and on the island of Delos. In art, Poseidon’s children were often shown with attributes that linked them to the sea or to horses. Pegasus appeared on coins from Corinth, and Polyphemus was a popular subject on painted vases. The cult of Poseidon was widespread, and his children were often invoked as protectors of sailors and fishermen.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that all of Poseidon’s children were sea creatures. In fact, many were heroes or kings who lived on land. Another misconception is that Medusa was Poseidon’s wife; she was a mortal priestess who was transformed into a Gorgon by Athena. Also, not all Cyclopes were sons of Poseidon; the Cyclopes who forged Zeus’s thunderbolts were children of Uranus and Gaia, not Poseidon. Finally, some lists of Poseidon’s children include figures like the goddess Aphrodite, but that is a later Roman addition and not in Greek myth.
How to Research Poseidon’s Children
If you want to learn more about a specific child of Poseidon, the best sources are the ancient texts themselves. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey mention several, and Hesiod’s Theogony gives a genealogy. The Library of Apollodorus is a later handbook that lists many. For a modern overview, you can consult a mythology encyclopedia or a reliable website. When reading, note that some children have multiple versions of their parentage, and the same name may refer to different figures in different myths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Poseidon’s most famous child?
Theseus is probably the most famous, because he appears in many well-known stories like the Minotaur and the Amazonomachy. Pegasus is also very recognizable, but he is a creature rather than a hero.
Did Poseidon have any daughters?
Yes, though they are less famous than his sons. Charybdis is a daughter, and so is Rhode, the nymph of the island of Rhodes. In some versions, the goddess Athena is said to be the daughter of Poseidon and a nymph, but that is not the standard story.
Are all of Poseidon’s children demigods?
No. Some are gods (like Triton), some are monsters (like Polyphemus), and some are mortal heroes (like Bellerophon). The term “demigod” usually refers to a child of a god and a mortal, but it is not used for all of them.
Why did Poseidon have so many children?
In Greek myth, gods often had many children to explain the origins of heroes, kings, and natural features. Poseidon’s children also reflect his domains: the sea, horses, and earthquakes. His many affairs with mortals were a way to give divine ancestry to important families.
Did Poseidon’s children ever fight each other?
Not directly, but some were rivals. For example, Theseus and Bellerophon both had adventures that involved fighting other creatures, but they never met. In the Iliad, Poseidon supports the Greeks, while his son Polyphemus is not involved in the Trojan War.
Are there any children of Poseidon in modern movies or books?
Yes. In Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, the main character is a son of Poseidon. That series is a modern adaptation and not a primary source, but it has made many people curious about the original myths.
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