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Dave's Mythical Creatures and Places |
Sphinx
| Description |
The body of a lion, and the upper part of a woman (or a man.)
Originated in Egypt.
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| Features | Was
known to ask riddles, and kill anyone who could not answer them.
Eventually, Oedipus solved the riddle and the Sphinx killed herself.
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| Related to |
see other Egyptian gods and creatures
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| Described By: | The
Great Sphinx at Giza in Egypt was built around 2500 B.C.
Its meaning to the Egyptians is not clear, but may have to do with
combining the strength of the lion with the wisdom of a man, perhaps
to inspire awe for kings or gods. (the human head representing
intellect, and the lion's body representing strength.) The form of the Sphinx was
adopted by the Greeks and the Assyrians in art and mythology. Hesiod (circa 800 B.C.) claimed that the Sphinx was the offspring of Echidna, mother of many Greek monsters.
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