When authors give shout outs to other great works, people, and events, it's usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
Note that Riordan provides a list of gods with brief descriptions at the end of the book.
- Aeneas (first reference 8.123)
- Aeolus (first reference 14.61)
- Aphrodite (first reference 4.178)
- Apollo (first reference 4.98)
- Ares (first reference 10.6)
- Argo (first reference 18.97)
- Argus (first reference 8.43)
- Artemis (first reference 4.161)
- Athena (first reference 2.11)
- Atlas (first reference 8.34)
- Boreas (first reference 14.161)
- Calais (first reference 18.27)
- The Call of the Wild (47.8)
- Chiron (first reference 3.78)
- Colchis (first reference 26.116)
- Daedalus (53.20)
- Demeter (first reference 4.183)
- Dionysius (first reference 4.231)
- Enceladus (first reference 9.62)
- Frankenstein (29.15)
- Gaea (39.68)
- Gegenees (42.32)
- Golden Fleece (first reference 4.58)
- Hades (first reference 4.184)
- Hecate (first reference 4.183)
- Helen of Troy (first reference 4.122)
- Helios (28.136)
- Hephaestus (first reference 3.64)
- Hera (first reference 4.186)
- Heracles (first reference 7.48)
- Hermes (first references 4.43)
- Hypnos (first reference 8.55)
- Iris (first reference 2.11)
- Janus (first reference 18.111)
- Jason (first reference 18.91)
- Juno (first reference 8.28)
- Jupiter (first reference 10.77)
- Khione (first reference 19.29)
- King Midas (first reference 32.21)
- Krios (first reference 43.13)
- Kronos (first reference 5.46)
- Lityerses (first reference 32.43)
- Jack London (first reference 46.57)
- Medea (first reference 28.74)
- Menelaus (first reference 4.125)
- Mercury (first reference 24.52)
- Notus (20.101)
- Orpheus (9.24)
- Pan (32.74)
- Pompona (8.111)
- Porphyrion (first reference 22.29)
- Poseidon (first reference 4.190)
- Ouranos (29.100)
- Paris (39.75)
- River Lethe (first reference 8.90)
- Remus (51.52)
- Romulus (51.52)
- Sagittarius (21.24)
- Somnus (8.123)
- Tartarus (first reference 4.23)
- Tsul'kälú (45.19)—A giant in Cherokee mythology.
- Venus (first reference 24.35)
- Vulcan (first reference 3.59)
- White Fang (47.8)
- Zethes (first reference 18.30)
- Zeus (first reference 4.186)
Historical References
- Civil War (53.29)
- Cold War (29.78)
- Amelia Earhart (38.88)
- General Dwight Eisenhower (40.44)
- Great Fire of London (6.66)
- Parthenon (6.8)
Pop Culture References
- Dallas Cowboys (first reference 1.55)
- Barbie (15.6)
- James Bond (21.29)
- Bugs Bunny (32.72)
- Darth Vader (1.27)
- "Flame on" (26.100)—The phrase the Human Torch of the superhero group the Fantastic Four shouts when he turns his flame powers on.
- Garfield (9.7)
- "The Girl Is Mine" (8.117)—A song sung by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.
- Gone With the Wind (38.72)
- Hall & Oates (18.19)
- Into the Air (38.72)
- Michael Jackson (8.117)
- Journey (18.19)—An eighties rock band.
- Ken doll (38.18)
- The Lone Ranger (21.29)
- Macy's (first reference 26.123)
- Nebraska Cornhuskers (first reference 32.3)
- Pac-Man (7.64)
- Pillsbury Doughboy (5.20)
- Dean Martin (52.36)
- Mr. Spock (3.69)
- Rambo (22.35)
- Frank Sinatra (52.36)
- Sith Lord (1.64)
- Snow White (first reference 40.49)
- Star Trek (3.63)
- Superman (1.55, 38.11)
- Tonto (21.29)
- The Twilight Zone (12.2)
- Up in the Air (38.72)
- Vulcan (from Star Trek) (3.68)
- Wheel of Fortune (29.106)