What is the Greek sphinx made up of?
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lion, eagle's wings and a woman's head
The sphinx has the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and the head of a woman.
💡 Did you know? In Egypt the sphinx usually has a king's head and no wings.
All questions with answers
How did the Sphinx of Thebes threaten travellers?
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with a deadly riddle
The sphinx devoured anyone who could not solve her famous riddle.
💡 Did you know? The riddle: what walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon and three in the evening? Answer: a human.
Who solved the riddle of the sphinx?
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Oedipus
Oedipus recognised that the answer is „a human“ and freed Thebes from the sphinx.
💡 Did you know? In despair at her defeat, the sphinx hurled herself into the abyss.
Which famous sphinx stands in Egypt?
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the Great Sphinx of Giza
The colossal Great Sphinx of Giza, with a lion's body and a king's head, is one of the most famous monuments in the world.
💡 Did you know? It is about 73 metres long and was carved from the rock over 4,500 years ago.
What was the sphinx's famous riddle?
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What walks on four, two and three legs?
The riddle asked which creature walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon and three in the evening.
💡 Did you know? The answer is a human: crawling as a baby, upright as an adult, on a stick in old age.
How does the Egyptian sphinx differ?
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male, wingless, benevolent
Unlike the Greek monster, the Egyptian sphinx is a benevolent guardian with a king's head.
💡 Did you know? The Great Sphinx of Giza has guarded the pyramids for over 4,500 years.
What was Oedipus's answer to the Sphinx's riddle?
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man
He crawls, walks upright, and leans on a stick in old age.
💡 Did you know? The Sphinx then hurled herself to her death.
What is missing from the face of the Great Sphinx of Giza?
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the nose
Knocked off centuries before Napoleon.
💡 Did you know? The legend of Napoleon's cannon is disproved.
Whose face does the Sphinx of Giza probably bear?
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Khafre's
The builder of Giza's second pyramid.
💡 Did you know? The attribution is not fully certain to this day.
Which stela stands between the paws of the Giza Sphinx?
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the Dream Stela
According to its text, Thutmose IV freed the Sphinx from the sand.
💡 Did you know? In thanks, says the stela, she made him pharaoh.
Which goddess sent the Sphinx as a plague upon Thebes?
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Hera
As punishment for crimes in the Theban royal house.
💡 Did you know? Other versions name Ares, for example.
What does “sphinx-like” still mean today?
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enigmatic inscrutability
A sphinx-like smile gives nothing away.
💡 Did you know? The Sphinx of Giza, too, has kept silent for 4,500 years.
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