A sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion, most often with a human head and sometimes with wings. The creature was an Egyptian invention and had a male head - human or animal; however, in Greek mythology, the creature had the head of a woman. The sphinx is also present in the art and sculpture of the Mycenaean, Assyrian, Persian and Phoenician civilizations.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 2500 BCEThe Great Sphinx of Giza is built.
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1900 BCE - 1500 BCESphinxes are represented in Minoan art in pottery, plaques and fabrics.
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1500 BCE - 1200 BCESphinxes are represented in Mycenaean art, particularly in pottery and ivory carving.
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900 BCE - 800 BCESurviving sphinxes from the Assyrian civilization, usually placed as guards outside palaces.
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700 BCE - 300 BCESphinxes are represented in Persian architecture either as free standing sculpture or in relief wall decoration.
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700 BCE - 600 BCEFirst appearance of sphinxes in ancient Greek art.
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c. 560 BCENaxos dedicates a large column and sphinx to the oracle of Apollo at Delphi.
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c. 550 BCEFirst appearance in ancient Greek art of sphinxes with raised hind quarters.
