, with the Pyramid of Khafre in the background]]A Sphinx is a zoomorphic mythological figure, usually depicted as a recumbent lion with a human head. It has its origins in Old Kingdom Egypt, and later became a cultural import in Greek mythology.
Egyptian sphinx
in Luxor]] Attic red-figure kylix from the Vatican]] goods and coinage during pre-Hellenic times]]The sphinxes of Egypt are mythical creatures, seen as guardians in the Egyptian statuary. Sphinxes are depicted in one of these three forms:
Androsphinx - body of lion with head of person;
Criosphinx - body of lion with head of ram;
Hierocosphinx - body of lion with head of falcon or hawk.
The largest and most famous is the Great Sphinx of Giza, sited on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile River, facing due east (). The face of the Great Sphinx is believed to be the head of the pharaoh Khafra (often known by the Greek version of his name, Chephren) or possibly that of his son, the Pharaoh Djedefra, which would date i