What is the sphinx?

Find out more about the history of The Sphinx, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on HISTORY.com. read more

A sphinx (Ancient Greek: σφίγξ, Boeotian: φίξ, plural sphinges) is a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion. In Greek tradition, it has the head of a human, the haunches of a lion, and sometimes the wings of a bird. It is mythicised as treacherous and merciless. read more

Answer: The Great Sphinx is a massive statue with the body of a lion and the face of a man. Don't get worried if you mix this one up with the Greek monster that riddled Oedipus at Thebes - they share the same name and are both mythical beasts that are part-lion. read more

The Great Sphinx is a large human-headed lion that was carved from a mound of natural rock. It is located in Giza where it guards the front of Khafra's pyramid. Legends have been told for many years about the Great Sphinx. These stories tell about the powers and mysteries of this sphinx. read more