The Myth of Poseidon's Children: Unveiling the Untold Stories

The Forbidden Child of Poseidon

The main storyline of Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1 centers around the fact that Percy is a forbidden child of Poseidon, but the Disney+ show never discusses the rest of the Greek god's children. It's due to the Pact of the Big Three — the vow that Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades won't have more demigod children — that Percy is accused of stealing Zeus' Lightning Bolt. This is also the reason Zeus threatens to declare war if it isn't returned to him, sending Camp Half-Blood into a desperate rush to find and return his weapon.

Walker Scobell as Percy being claimed by Poseidon in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 2

Even after Zeus' threats, Poseidon doesn't do much to protect Percy from the other Olympian god's wrath. This seems to be par for the course when it comes to demigod children, and Disney's Percy Jackson show masterfully continues the criticism of the gods' negligence when it comes to their mortal offspring. Percy is the first child of Poseidon to be claimed in a long time, but that doesn't make him any less susceptible to his father's neglect. And there's a good reason the show doesn't discuss any of Poseidon's other children when Percy arrives at Camp Half-Blood. Percy Jackson & the Olympians is streaming on Disney+.

Walker Scobell as Percy looking up at Chiron in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 3

Poseidon Does Have Another Forbidden Son Other Than Percy Jackson. Tyson Will Likely Appear In Percy Jackson Season 2. Although most of Percy's brothers and sisters would be elderly or deceased in Percy Jackson & the Olympians' timeline, there is another forbidden son of Poseidon who shows up in Riordan's story. The second Percy Jackson book, The Sea of Monsters, introduces Percy's half-brother, Tyson. Tyson isn't a demigod, which is why he doesn't attract as much scorn as Percy. Instead, Tyson is a cyclops who was born of the relationship between Poseidon and a nymph. Tyson is homeless when he meets Percy, but he later moves into Poseidon's cabin at Camp Half-Blood with him. Tyson appears in the Percy Jackson movies, and it's likely he'll make his entrance in Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 2. He's a relatively important part of Percy's story, and he's another example of a child neglected by their Olympian god parent. Being a cyclops may present a challenge for the Percy Jackson series to bring Tyson to life. However, he'll give Percy a sibling to confide in — and he'll be one of several forbidden children to crop up after Percy's arrival at camp.

Douglas Smith as Tyson wearing sunglasses and holding up his hands in Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

The Pact of the Big Three

Part of the reason Percy Jackson & the Olympians doesn't reference other offspring of Poseidon is because all the god's non-forbidden children would be elderly in the Disney show's timeline. The Pact of the Big Three goes back to the end of World War II, with Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades agreeing that their demigod kids were becoming too powerful in the 1940s. However, something else happened to spawn their agreement: the Oracle of Delphi predicted a child of the Big Three would either save or destroy Olympus. Fearing the latter, the trio decided not to have any more demigod children — though two of the three gods broke this vow. This Great Prophecy hasn't been referenced in Disney's Percy Jackson show just yet, but it's likely to come up as it continues. The later books dig into it a bit, especially as other forbidden children emerge. But as the Big Three limit their procreation after making their pact, Percy doesn't have a cabin full of brothers and sisters at Camp Half-Blood. The majority of Poseidon's other offspring were born before the 1940s, meaning they'd be much older than Percy, whose story takes place in the 2000s.

Walker Scobell as Percy with Wet Hair in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1

Poseidon's Mortal & Immortal Children In Greek Mythology Explained

Thanks to the Pact of the Big Three, Poseidon's children are easy to keep track of during Percy Jackson's timeline. However, the Olympian god has far more offspring in Greek mythology, some of whom exist in Riordan's world, though they're either immortal or born long before Percy. Many of Poseidon's children in Greek mythology are mortals, just like in Riordan's books. Some of Poseidon's most well-known mortal offspring include Theseus, Neleus, Atlas, and Agenor (via Theoi Greek Mythology). The sea god also has kids with nymphs and giants, which is likely where the inspiration for Tyson's character comes from.

Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson looks up at a statue with a clipboard in his hand in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Per Greek mythos, Poseidon also has immortal children who function as lesser gods. Some of these exist in the Percy Jackson universe even if they don't play prominent roles in Riordan's story, including the fishtailed Triton (via Fandom.com). Other immortal children from Greek mythology include Aeolus, Asopus, and Telchines. In some myths, Athena is also the daughter of Poseidon, though others dub Zeus her father. Athena doesn't seem to be Poseidon's child in Percy Jackson & the Olympians, which clearly takes its own approach to the Olympian gods and their offspring.

Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, with wet hair, is looking up in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.