Hernandez Jacqueline

Period: 6


Sphinx
This god or mythical creature is known throughout Egypt and is known for protecting important tombs
or temples. They show great power and wealth. This soon became a popular tradition. There meaning
was a great way to represent the pharaohs and kings. They created a powerful image of a king with a
lion like body and the kings head. Sphinx started off in Egypt and made their way to Greece .These
mythical creatures have an extraordinary making and meaning.
Sphinxes were known in many places. There was quite a difference in the usage. Greek sphinxes were
recognized more in a womens head and an animal body while in Egypt they were mainly men. Female
were represented as sphinxes. Although they both used sphinx for protection, Europe sphinx were
decorated and presented as art with a strong meaning of greatness, they were enjoyed a major rival
during the renaissance. High class society would use them in their tombs for protection and for what
they called the afterlife; they also served in temples, or served as details atop the post of flights of stairs
to grand complexes. The Mayas used something like sphinx too, they were small and horrifying to keep
any thiefs away. Many cultures had similar objects like sphinx.
Sphinx were mentally made they had no family none like the gods do. But there is said that she was
the daughter of Orthus and Chimaera or Ekhidna and Typhon. Chimaera her mother was a monstrous
fire breathing female creature. Her father on the other hand was a two headed dog. Sphinxes were
also known as the watch dog that presideth over evil days. The birth of Sphinx was just the symbol it
represented; it had an uprising popularity, and became a tradition that most do. It was more of Greek
mythology, an idea, or tradition.
Legend says the sphinx was sent down to punish the who had committed crime. There she would ask
to solve a riddle and if not answered correctly, she would devour her target. Thebes, proposed the
kingship to anyone who dared to try to destroy her. A so called Oidipous approved to this challenge, and
solved the hidden riddle, the sphinx was defeated. The powerful sphinx casted its self in disbelieve that
she was vanquished and in accordance with an oracle declaring her death.
There for, this mythical creature was used for protection. Sphinx made a great impact. They were one
of the worlds mysterious, complex makings. Huge stone statues that had a powerful symbol for its
characteristics of a lion like body and a human head. They were placed in tombs, temples,etc. showing
there defense and what theyre protecting is safe and secure.
Work Cited
Clay, Jenny Strauss, Hesiods Cosmos, Sphinx, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Professor Dominic Rathbone, The Ancient World, New York: Fall River Press, 1988.
Aaron J. Astma, Sphinx, New Zealand: Theoi Project Copyright, 2000-2011