Thursday, November 18, 2010

Defining the Sphinx

 
I'll be surprised if you can guess what Sphinx means. Here's a hint, GREEK MYTHOLOGY. Think you have it? Alright, if you guessed that Sphinx(according to Greek Mythology) means '' To tightly bind ''
THEN YOU ARE CORRECT!!! It was believed that the Great Sphinx of Giza was a mythical creature.
The Egyptians told stories of how the Sphinx would strangle it's victims.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Sphinx's Twin

I'm sure that you'll never be able to guess who the Great Sphinx of Giza represents!  Do you think you know?  Well, if you guessed King Kafrah, then you were RIGHT!  It's not just a coincidence that King Kafrah and the Great Sphinx have the same face.  Now, I hope that you can recognize the body of the Sphinx...if you couldn't, then I'll tell you...it's a lion!  Notice it's body's position; it's lying down with its held high like an animal (a lion!).   
So, now you can tell your friends that the Great Sphinx of Giza has the body of a lion and the head of a king!



The Sphinx Lends a Hand

The Sphinx lends a helping hand by guarding the Great Pyramids from people tempted to rob them.  Rob what from the pyramids you ask?  THE KINGS AND THEIR JEWELS OF COURSE!!  The people believed that you would be cursed by the gods if you passed by the Sphinx to get to the pyramids and steal an object.  I, for one, am not going to steal anything from the pyramids!!

The People Who Built the Sphinx

(The Sphinx Guarding the Great Pyramids)
Did you know that it took over 20,000 people to build the Great Sphinx of Giza??!!  Imagine this...waking up before dawn, working in 100 degree weather for like 12 hours straight, then going home at dusk to sleep for some 5 hours?  Can you believe that?!  Surprisingly enough, the Great Sphinx of Giza was actually a tomb to some kings!  Can you imagine being burried in a place that is supposed to stop people from robbing the pyramids?

Home of the Sphinx!

I'm pretty sure that you didn't know that the Great Sphinx of Giza was built in the 4th dynasty.  That's around 2575-2465 BCE.  Plus the Great Spinx of Giza was built in the middle of a vast pyramid temple in Giza.  Not to mention the fact that it's right off of the coast of the Nile River, in present day Cairo.
...Not too shabby...