---
title: The Great Sphinx of Tanis
author: fmpgoh
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5855/the-great-sphinx-of-tanis/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# The Great Sphinx of Tanis
_Authored by fmpgoh_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5855.jpg)
## Image Caption
The [sphinx](https://www.worldhistory.org/sphinx/) was inscribed with the names of the pharaohs Ammenemes II (12th Dynasty, 1929-1895 BC), Merneptah (19th Dynasty, 1212-02 BC) and Shoshenq I (22nd Dynasty, 945-24 BC). According to archaeologists, certain details suggest that this sphinx dates to an earlier period - the [Old Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Old_Kingdom/) (c. 2600 BC). This is one of the largest sphinxes outside of [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/), currently housed in the Louvre, [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/). It was found in 1825 CE among the ruins of the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Amun](https://www.worldhistory.org/amun/) at Tanis (the capital of Egypt during the 21st and 22nd dynasties).
## Cite This Work
### APA
fmpgoh. (2016, October 10). The Great Sphinx of Tanis. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
fmpgoh. "The Great Sphinx of Tanis." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 10, 2016. .
### MLA
fmpgoh. "The Great Sphinx of Tanis." *World History Encyclopedia*, 10 Oct 2016, .
## License & Copyright
[](https://www.flickr.com/photos/fmpgoh/3735217035)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/fmpgoh/3735217035) by [**fmpgoh**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/fmpgoh/3735217035). Submitted by [Ibolya Horváth](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/horvath.ibolya/ "User Page: Ibolya Horváth"), published on 10 October 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.