A
mythical creature that was frequently a subject of ancient
Egyptian sculpture, the sphinx combined the body of an animal
(usually a lion) with the head of a man, and was usually
depicted in a recumbent position. Statues of sphinxes were
often associated with Egyptian sanctuaries, as in the avenue
of sphinxes connecting the temples of Luxor and Karnak in
Thebes. The most famous Egyptian sphinx lies near the pyramid
of Khafre (c.2500 BC) at Giza (pictured). Known as the Great
Sphinx, it measures 21 m (69 ft) in height and 74 m (243 ft
in length) and its face, now badly damaged, is believed to
represent King Khafre himself. Originally built to guard the
pyramid, the Great Sphinx was later worshiped as the god
Rahorakhty, "Ra of the Two Horizons." Long one of
Egypt's most celebrated monuments, it was disfigured by
vandalism in the past, and today is threatened by air
pollution.
In ancient Greek art and legend - in the story of Oedipus, for example - the sphinx became a winged monster with the body of a lion and the head of a woman.
