Oedipus and the Sphinx

The great sphinx is a famous landmark known around the world for its loin body and a human head. It was built for a pharaoh as a guide in the afterlife. There is so much to learn about the sphinx. Like when and where it as built, ancient Greek myths, and King Khafre (the head of this amazing monument). Not to mention all the astonishing facts about the statue.

When and where was the great sphinx built? The sphinx was built in Giza the same city the great pyramids are in.

The great beast lays in front of King Khafre’s pyramid. It was built around the same time as the pyramids and was built facing east where the sun rises every morning and is located on the west side of the river. The statue is made of one huge block of limestone and is 270 feet long and 66 feet wide.

There are many Greek myths about the great sphinx but none are as famous as this one. This myth says the sphinx is a female monster with a lion’s body, a human head, and eagle wings that tells people a riddle “ Which is the creature that has one voice, four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three at night?” if they guessed wrong she would eat them. Only one man got the riddle correct. His name was Oedipus he said a human. After answering this riddle correctly she asked him another “ There are two sisters; one who gives birth to the other, who in turn gives birth to the first?” Oedipus said night and day both words are feminine in the Greek language. After he answered this riddle correctly the sphinx through herself on a rock and died.

The head of the sphinx is King Khafre. He was part of the 4th dynasty in the old kingdom and was known for building statues. His pyramid was the second one built in Giza. He built it on higher ground so it would look taller than his father but over time it has been weathered down about thirty feet and is now shorter. Over his years of adulthood, he had many wives and 16 children. 12 girls and 4 boys. He ruled for 26 years and died in 2480 B.C.E. but the age he was when he died is unknown.

The Sphinx is a lion body with a human head typically a pharaoh or gods. The most famous one is known as the great sphinx which is located in Egypt in front of King Khafre’s pyramid. There is a small chapel in between the front paws. This monument is also known for its missing nose. No one knows why the nose is missing or what happened to it. In 1905 they finally cleared all the sand away from the sphinx so everyone could see it’s true beauty.

I like I said before there is so much information that is still unknown about this beautiful piece of art. Like why was it built in front of Khafre’s pyramid and why is he the head of the Sphinx? Or why are the Greek myths so unusual? In conclusion, this creature is so astonishing and I think more scientist should research it.

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