Who is the mother of the Cyclops Polyphemus?

The mother of the Cyclops Polyphemus is Thoosa. Homer identifies her as a sea nymph and the daughter of Phorcys, an ancient sea deity. Poseidon is named as Polyphemus’ father, making the Cyclops a child of two powerful marine figures.

Thoosa appears briefly in the Odyssey, but her family connection explains Polyphemus’ divine ancestry. Polyphemus is not simply a monstrous shepherd: he is the son of Poseidon, which helps explain why Odysseus’ escape from his cave creates such serious consequences. After Odysseus blinds him, Polyphemus calls on Poseidon to punish the Greek hero.

The cave episode occurs in Book 9. Polyphemus traps Odysseus and his crew, eats several men, and is eventually blinded by a sharpened stake after being tricked by Odysseus’ false name, “Nobody.”

Thoosa is often confused with Amphitrite, another sea-associated figure connected to Poseidon. Amphitrite is Poseidon’s wife in later mythology, whereas Thoosa is specifically Polyphemus’ mother in Homer.