Sphinx in Greek Mythology

The Sphinx (Greek: Σφιγξ) is a mythological figure from Greek mythology and Ancient Egyptian sculptures. It has it's origins in sculpted figures of Old Kingdom Egypt, to which the ancient greeks applied their own name for a female monster, the "strangler", an archaic figure of Greek mythology. Similar creatures appear throughout South and South-East Asia, and the sphinx enjoyed a major revival in European decorative art from the Renaissance onwards. The Sphinx was the emblem of the ancient city-state of Chios, and appeared on seals and the obverse side of coins from the sixth century BC until the third century AD. Unlike the Greek sphinx, which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown as a man. In addition, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed as benevolent but having a ferocious strength similar to the malevolent Greek version.