The Great Sphinx of Giza Plateau is one of the colossal statues that were common of the ancient Egyptian civilization, such as Colossi of Memnon and colossal of Ozymandias at Ramesseum Temple in Luxor. The Great Sphinx is considered one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Giza Plateau and Egypt.
The Great Sphinx dates back to the Fourth Dynasty. It is believed that it belongs to King Chephren or Khafre, the founder of the second pyramid in the Giza plateau.
The Great Sphinx is considered the second statue of sphinxes in Egypt, after the statue of King Jaddaf Ra in Abu Rawash in the Louvre Museum. Also, it is the largest statue of the Sphinx in Egypt, but the second one is the sphinx of Queen Hatshepsut in Memphis Museum. The Sphinx was carved from a single piece of rock from the limestone.
In the past, it is believed that who destroyed the nose of the Sphinx was Napoleon during his campaign in Egypt, but the Egyptian historian al-Maqrīzī wrote that he was Sa’im al-Dahr.
The meaning of the word sphinx:
The sphinx is a mythical creature with a human head and a lion’s body. The word sphinx is a Greek word derived from the ancient Egyptian word (Ssp Ankh), meaning living image. This refers that the sphinx statues embody the physical power of the king represented in the lion body and the mental power represented in the human head.
While in the Arabic language, it is called Abu Al Hol. It is thought that this word is derived from the ancient Egyptian word (Pr hol), meaning the house of the lion.
The Dream Stela:
Between the paws of the Great Sphinx, there is a granite slab called the Dream Stela. It belongs to King Thutmose IV, the New Kingdom, 18 Dynasty.
This Stela tells that when King Thutmose IV was a prince, he dreamed that if he removed the sand that covered the Great Sphinx, he would become the king of ancient Egypt. Indeed, he removed the sand and ruled Egypt after his father, King Amenhotep II. This is considered political propaganda for the king.
Also, in front of the statue, there is a temple called the Temple of the Sphinx.
Also, you will be able to see a huge number of sphinx statues for ancient Egyptian kings and queens in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, such as King Amenemhat III and Queen Hatshepsut.
Additionally, in front of the Luxor Temple, there is the avenue of sphinxes, which will revive with the rams avenue of the Karnak complex next November.
you can visit The Great Sphinx with Cairo Attractions in 5 Days
