Sphinx Egypt – The Sphinx of Egypt, history and curiosities

Sphinx Egypt: The Sphinx statue is a famous statue located in the Giza area, and what makes it extraordinary is its human head. This statue is located near the three famous pyramids of Giza, which constitute one of the seven wonders of the world, and is the oldest known sculpture not only in Egypt, but in the whole world. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Pharaoh Chephren and is one of the most incredible sculptures in the world, an artistic marvel unique in its impressive size of 73 meters long and 20 meters high above the ground.  motorata nel deserto sharm

The discovery of the Sphinx statue

dates back to the time of pharaoh Tuthmosis IV, one of the kings of the 18th dynasty, and this find was recorded on a granite slab in front of the chest of the Sphinx statueWalls have been erected around the alabaster statue to protect it from the sand. Some stories say that Pharaoh Tuthmosis IV had a dream that the sphinx asked him to remove the sand around him because she was suffocating him, and if she did so he would become king of Egypt. This was why Tuthmosis IV became the king of Egypt. All of this was recorded on the famous tablet known as the Dream Tablet, located at the foot of the Sphinx. During the reign of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, a structure was built adjacent to the Sphinx for resting. During the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, there was a letter which contained an order from Ramses II to cut stones from quarries to cover the statue.

Sphinx Egypt - Sphinx reconstruction

During the Babylonian period several excavations were carried out in this area and the table erected by King Thutmose IV was found. Some historians claim that there is a secret chamber under the sphinx statue. Some historians have said that the statue was built over a secret underground city. The sphinx statue has tremendous importance in the Egyptian sculpture art and in the world. It is said that she was covered with a layer of colored chalk, but it was removed due to climatic factors, but there are some colors under her ears.

The controversy over the Great Sphinx Statue of Giza

There are different opinions on the Statue of the Great Sphinx of Giza, whether it belongs to King Chephren or King Cheops, but the most accredited opinion, on which historians are based, is that it belongs to King Chephren because it resembles the details of the statue found in the Egyptian Museum of King Chephren. The other opinion that goes back to King Khufu, also states that his face resembles that of the Great Sphinx Statue, but there is another opinion that states that the Great Sphinx Statue is the elder brother of King Chephren and his father is King Khufu.

There are several statues similar to the Great Sphinx statue and the Great Sphinx statue had a large nose, but it deteriorated due to the French invasion led by Napoleon Bonaparte. There are many opinions about the Great Sphinx Statue whether it belongs to King Chephren or King Khufu and whether there is a room under it that probably contains secrets, but so far they have not discovered the secret of this room. However, renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass has debunked all of this and confirmed that there are no rooms under the feet of the Great Sphinx Statue and confirmed that there are only four tunnels.

sphinx reconstruction

The Sphinx Temple

As for the temple of Abu al-Haul, it is the valley temple of King Khafre and is a huge building that represents the structures dating back to the fourth dynasty. This temple is said to be very large and all parts of the temple are noted to be double, with two entrances and two sets of double chambers, then two outer courts. The temple is currently in a state of deterioration.

Sphinx Names:

Sphinx is a name that means "the lord" and in ancient Egyptian it means "lion". Other names of Abou al-Houl include:

“Roti”, mentioned in the Pyramid Texts.

“Horus his mother's brother”, mentioned on a tablet of King Tutmosis IV and represents the worship of the god Atum for the cult of the sun.

“Seshep-ankh”, meaning “the living statue” and mentioned in the Middle Kingdom.

"Sphinx", during the Greek period, meaning "the wild beast".

Sphinx reconstruction

In New Kingdom times, Sphinx was considered a deity of the dead and a guardian of the pharaonic cemetery located near the Pyramids. The ancient Egyptians believed that he removed danger and evil from them, he being the guardian of the gates of the afterlife. The Sphinx statue is one of the most splendid works of art in ancient Egypt and is one of the greatest examples of Egyptian sculpture, which has been regarded as one of the symbols of Egyptian civilization for over seven thousand years.

Luxor Temple

The statues similar to the Sphinx statue

 There are several statues next to the Sphinx statue, including the statues that adorn the road from Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. There is also a statue of Hatshepsut which looks the same as this statue and there are seven statues of King Amenemhat III which are shaped like the Sphinx statue, found in an area which has become a symbol of the Orient and revered. This statue is among the most beautiful and wonderful works of art achieved by ancient Egyptian artists, it is one of the best outdoor mythological statues and is the only statue of this immense magnitude.

If you are interested in discovering the secrets of the ancient pharaonic civilization and delving into their history, you could book a classic Egypt tour to visit most of the tourist sites that represent the history of Egypt, such as the pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian museum.

The majestic beauty of Egypt's Nile River, especially in Luxor and Aswan , has always surprised visitors who venture on a Nile cruise. If you would like to experience a Nile cruise , we invite you to take a look at our different cruise offers available.

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