The Great Sphinx of Tanis

Hellenistic Art

The sphinx is a monstrous creature combining the body of a lion and the head of a king. This sphinx was successively inscribed with the names of kings Amenemhat II (1898-1866 B.C., 12th Dynasty), Merneptah (1213-1203 B.C., 19th Dynasty) and Shoshenq I (945-924 B.C., 22nd Dynasty). Some archaeologists argue that in certain details can be found the indication of a more ancient period, the Old Kingdom (around 2600 BC).

The Great Sphinx of Tanis (Musée du Louvre)