Sphinx A sphinx is a

mythical creature with the body of a lion and a human head.

Greek traditionsFrom the Bronze age, the Greeks

had trade and cultural contacts with Egypt. Before the time that Alexander the Great occupied Egypt, the Greek name, sphinx, was already applied to

these statues. The historians and geographers of Greece wrote

extensively about Egyptian culture.

Great Sphinx of GizaGreat Sphinx of Giza

• The largest and most famous sphinx is the Great Sphinx of Giza, situated at the Giza.The sphinx is located in the north and below the pyramids.

Great Sphinx of GizaGreat Sphinx of Giza

Although the date of its construction is uncertain, the head of the Great Sphinx

is believed to be that of the pharaoh Khafra. What names their builders gave

to these statues is not known.

Back of Sphinx, Giza Egypt

•The first sphinx

• Perhaps the first sphinx in Egypt was one depicting Queen Hetepheres II, of

the fourth dynasty that lasted from 2723 to 2563 BC. She was one of the

longest-lived members of the royal family of that dynasty.

•Queen Hetepheres II

Sphinxes in Religion

Among the Egyptians, sphinxes were placed at the entrance of temples to guard the mysteries.

The sphinx became successively the symbol of gods and the priests expressed the idea that all

the gods were hidden from the people.

Marble Sphinx Acropolis museum

Students

Antonia.XTheotheo.S

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinx