Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, and a son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. His siblings are Zeus, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia; among his best-known children are Triton, Polyphemus, Theseus, and the winged horse Pegasus, though ancient sources give him many different partners and descendants.
Poseidon’s parents and the first generation
In Hesiod’s Theogony, Poseidon is one of the six children of Cronus and Rhea, both Titans. Their other children are Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus. Cronus fears that one of his children will overthrow him, so he swallows the children as they are born. Rhea saves the youngest, Zeus, by giving Cronus a stone wrapped in cloth instead. Zeus later forces Cronus to release his swallowed siblings.
Poseidon therefore belongs to the generation of Olympian gods that defeats the Titans and divides power among the new rulers. In the familiar allocation, Zeus rules the sky, Poseidon the sea, and Hades the underworld. This division does not make Poseidon subordinate to Zeus in every respect: Greek myths portray the brothers as powerful gods with distinct realms, sometimes cooperating and sometimes disputing authority.
Siblings and the Olympian family
Poseidon’s siblings are also his most important divine relatives. Zeus is his brother and king of the gods; Hera, Demeter, Hestia, and Hades are likewise his full siblings in the standard genealogy. The gods’ family relationships can seem unusual by modern standards, but they reflect the mythic genealogy rather than a human family structure.
Zeus and Poseidon share many relatives through their children and unions with other divine or mortal figures. Poseidon is also an uncle to numerous gods and heroes in traditions that make his siblings parents of further generations. A family tree is useful as a guide, but it cannot capture every local version of Greek myth: ancient poets and communities did not always tell one single, consistent story.
Consorts and partners
Amphitrite is Poseidon’s wife in a widely known tradition. She is a sea goddess, often identified as a daughter of Nereus and Doris, and the mother of Triton in accounts such as Hesiod’s Theogony. Poseidon’s union with Amphitrite gives him a household within the sea, but it is only one branch of his extensive mythology.
Stories also associate Poseidon with goddesses, nymphs, and mortal women. Demeter, for example, is connected with Poseidon in an Arcadian tradition reported by Pausanias: while seeking her daughter Persephone, she takes the form of a mare, and Poseidon approaches her as a stallion. Their daughter is Despoina, a deity worshipped in Arcadia, and their son is the horse Arion in some versions. Such accounts belong to particular local traditions and should not be treated as a universal family record.
Other stories link Poseidon with Medusa, Aethra, and Tyro, among others. The details and offspring differ by source. For this reason, lists of Poseidon’s partners or children are best read as collections of mythic traditions, not as a single agreed catalogue.
Notable children and descendants
Poseidon’s children include gods, heroes, monsters, and horses. Their varied roles show how Greek myths use divine parentage to connect stories of the sea, kingship, warfare, and legendary journeys.
- Triton: A sea god, commonly described as the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite. He is often depicted with a human upper body and a fish-like lower body, and associated with a conch shell.
- Polyphemus: The Cyclops encountered by Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. Homer identifies him as Poseidon’s son, making the sea god Odysseus’ divine enemy after the hero blinds the Cyclops.
- Theseus: In some traditions, Poseidon is his divine father, while Aegeus is his human father. This double parentage is not universal, but it is a well-known feature of Theseus’ legend.
- Pegasus: The winged horse born when Medusa is killed by Perseus in Hesiod’s account. Hesiod associates Pegasus with Poseidon, though the circumstances and emphasis vary in later retellings.
- Orion: A giant hunter whose parentage varies. One tradition makes him a son of Poseidon and Euryale, while other accounts give him a different origin.
- Arion: A swift, immortal horse linked to Poseidon and Demeter in some accounts, especially the Arcadian story preserved by Pausanias.
These examples are not a complete list. Ancient genealogies attribute many other figures to Poseidon, and a name may appear as his child in one account but have a different parentage elsewhere.
How Poseidon’s family connects to his myths
Poseidon’s descendants often carry their parent’s domains into their stories. Triton belongs to the sea, while Arion and Pegasus connect the god with horses. Polyphemus’ story shows the consequences of angering Poseidon: after Odysseus blinds him, the Cyclops asks his father to punish the Greek hero, helping explain the obstacles Odysseus faces on his voyage home.
Poseidon’s family ties also matter in heroic legends. Theseus’ possible divine parentage adds a supernatural dimension to his identity, while his human connection to Aegeus anchors him in Athenian kingship. The differing versions are not necessarily errors; they reflect the way myths were retold and adapted across places and periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Poseidon’s parents?
Cronus and Rhea are Poseidon’s parents in the standard Greek genealogy, including Hesiod’s Theogony.
Who are Poseidon’s brothers and sisters?
His siblings are Zeus, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. They are all children of Cronus and Rhea in the familiar account.
Who is Poseidon’s wife?
Amphitrite is his best-known wife. Their son Triton is a prominent figure in Greek sea mythology.
How many children did Poseidon have?
There is no single agreed total. Ancient sources name many children, and their parentage varies between accounts and local traditions.
Is Theseus Poseidon’s son?
Some traditions give Theseus two fathers: the mortal Aegeus and the god Poseidon. Other tellings emphasize Aegeus alone or handle the genealogy differently.
Are Pegasus and Polyphemus both Poseidon’s children?
Yes, both are linked to Poseidon in major Greek traditions, though their stories and the way their parentage is presented are very different.
Related
- Japanese Gods of the Sea: Full List & Lore
- Inca Sun Gods: Inti & Related Deities
- Japanese Gods of Fortune: The Seven Lucky Gods
How pages are sourced and corrected: Sources and editorial policy.