SPHINX
A sphinx is a legendary monster with a human head and a lion's body. In
ancient Egypt, where the idea originated, the head was usually a portrait of the
reigning pharaoh. It also represented the sky god Horus. The Egyptians always
pictured their kings as calm and stately, with wide-open, staring eyes. The lion's
body - symbolizing courage - is crouched with its front feet outstretched.
From Egypt the idea of the sphinx spread to the Syrians and
Phoenicians and finally to the Greeks. These peoples gave the creature
the head and bust of a woman. They added an eagle's wings to represent
majesty and a long serpent's tail to indicate wiliness. In later Greek
literature, the sphinx was no monster, but a beautiful, wise and mysterious
woman.
The Great Sphinx at Giza was carved in about 2600 BC. It stands
near the three great pyramids, gazing across the Nile to the east. The
head is a portrait of Khafre, a pharaoh of the Old Kingdom.
Near the sphinx rises Khafre's tomb, the second of
the three great pyramids.
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