Great Sphinx of Giza
A sphinx (Ancient Greek: Σφίγξ [spʰíŋks], Boeotian: Φίξ [pʰíːks], plural sphinges) is a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion. In Greek tradition, it has the head of a human, the haunches of a lion, and sometimes the wings of a bird. It is mythicised as treacherous and merciless. Those who cannot answer its riddle suffer a fate typical in such mythological stories, as they are killed and eaten by this ravenous monster.[1] This deadly version of a sphinx appears in the myth and drama of Oedipus.[2] Unlike the Greek sphinx, which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown as a man (an androsphinx). In addition, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed as benevolent, but having a ferocious strength similar to the malevolent Greek version and both were thought of as guardians often flanking the entrances to temples.
- Type
- sphinx · archaeological site · Source · 2026-10-20
- Creator
- Unknown
- Created
- Unknown
- Material
- limestone · Source · 2026-10-20
- Location
- Giza Necropolis · Source · 2026-10-20
- Country
- Egypt · Source · 2026-10-20
- Genre
- Unknown
- Source
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphinx_with_the_third_pyramid.jpg