The History of Sphinx

The Sphinx is most often associated with Egypt, though in reality, it was the Greeks who gave it a name. The word "sphinx" means "strangler" and was given by the Greeks (see References below). The Sphinx has great historical and legendary significance, both in art and literature. It has evolved over time, and its original meaning is still unknown.

Features

Traditionally, sphinxes had wings, but they are not always depicted this way. In Greece, the sphinx had a woman's head on the winged body of a lion. In Egypt, the sphinxes are altered slightly, often with the face of a king wearing a head-dress. Occasionally, the sphinx will be shown with the head of a ram; these are typically tied to the god Amun (see References below).

History

According to Greek legend, the winged sphinx of Thebes threatened people by asking them a difficult riddle. The only one who was able to solve it was Oedipus, and when he gave the correct answer, the sphinx killed herself. This story led to the idea that a sphinx is a wise, cryptic being. Some classical art shows Oedipus in a fight with the Sphinx, so there is the possibility of an added physical element to the legend, though little is known about it (see References).

Evolution

The Great Sphinx is believed to be the first artistic representation of its kind, and the design spread from Egypt to all over Asia. As incarnations became more common, the sphinx was sometimes shown sitting up, or with other animals, such as lions or griffins. By 1600 B.C., the winged sphinx was common in Greece, where it wore a long wig or flat cap (reference 3). Images of the sphinx were found on vases, metalworks and in temples.

Types

The Great Sphinx in Giza, Egypt, is perhaps the most renowned sculpture of this mythical beast. Its face is said to be a portrait of King Khafre, a pharaoh, and is estimated to have been built during the 2700s B.C. (see References). Three inaccessible tunnels have been found inside the sculpture, which have been blocked as the Sphinx erodes over time. The Great Sphinx is 65 feet high, 260 feet long and 20 feet wide.

Misconceptions

The Great Sphinx is famously missing a nose. Rumors abound that Napoleon and his army used the sculpture for target practice, and in doing so, blew off its nose. However, Napoleon did not arrive in Egypt until 1798. Historians believe the nose had already been missing for a minimum of 400 years (see References). A more common explanation is that the nose fell off due to erosion over time.

References

• The Great Sphinx: An Introduction
• The Great Sphinx: Size
• History of Sphinxes: Encyclopedia Britannica