Great Sphinx of Giza: Difference between revisions
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The '''Great Sphinx of Giza''', often known simply as the '''Sphinx''', is a [[limestone]] [[sphinx]] statue located in [[Giza]], [[Egypt]]. | The '''Great Sphinx of Giza''', often known simply as the '''Sphinx''', is a [[limestone]] [[sphinx]] statue located in [[Giza]], [[Egypt]]. | ||
Easily one of Egypt's more recognizable monuments, it lies within the Giza necropolis, a short distance to the east from the [[Pyramid of Khafre]] and represents the mythical creature for which it is named. It is widely believed to be a monument to [[Khafre]], built during the {{Wiki|Old Kingdom of Egypt|Old Kingdom}}.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx]]: "When Was It Built & Who Does It Represent?</ref> | Easily one of Egypt's more recognizable monuments, it lies within the Giza necropolis, a short distance to the east from the [[Pyramid of Khafre]], and represents the mythical creature for which it is named. It is widely believed to be a monument to [[Khafre]], built during the {{Wiki|Old Kingdom of Egypt|Old Kingdom}}.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx]]: "When Was It Built & Who Does It Represent?</ref> | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
Dating from the {{Wiki|Fourth Dynasty of Egypt|Fourth dynasty}}, approximately 2600 to 2500 BCE, the Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest and oldest Egyptian monument that is still standing. It was carved from a natural limestone outcrop and measures 19.8 meters tall, 73.2 meters long, and 14 meters wide.<ref>''Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt'' – Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx: "The Great Sphinx Of Giza"</ref> | Dating from the {{Wiki|Fourth Dynasty of Egypt|Fourth dynasty}}, approximately 2600 to 2500 BCE, the Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest and oldest Egyptian monument that is still standing. It was carved from a natural limestone outcrop and measures 19.8 meters tall, 73.2 meters long, and 14 meters wide.<ref>''Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt'' – Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx: "The Great Sphinx Of Giza"</ref> | ||
The modern Egyptian Arabic name is أبو الهول (''Abū al Hūl'', English: The Terrifying One, literally: "Father of Dread"), which is derived from Balhoula | The modern Egyptian Arabic name for the Great Sphinx is أبو الهول (''Abū al Hūl'', English: "The Terrifying One", literally: "Father of Dread"), which is derived from Balhoula in the {{Wiki|Coptic language}}.<ref>''Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt'' – Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx: "Use of Limestone"</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
During his | During his travels across Egypt in the mid-1st century BCE, [[Bayek]] encountered the Sphinx and explored a series of tunnels hidden below the statue, leading him to the [[Isu]] ruin of [[Eesfet Oon-m'Aa Poo]].<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> The [[Medjay]] also visited the market set up in the colonnade near the monument during his search for the member of the [[Order of the Ancients]] known as the [[Khaliset|Hyena]].<ref name="The Hyena">''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[The Hyena (genetic memory)|The Hyena]]</ref> | ||
==Behind the scenes== | |||
The projection from the activated altar under the Great Sphinx is based on the diagrams on the {{Wiki|Voyager Golden Record}} covers merged with the {{Wiki|Dendera zodiac}}. | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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ACO Great Sphinx Vault Entrance.jpg|The vault's entrance | ACO Great Sphinx Vault Entrance.jpg|The vault's entrance | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
Latest revision as of 15:37, 4 May 2026
- "The Great Sphinx. It's smaller than I expected."
- ―Bayek upon visiting the Sphinx, 48 BCE.[src]

The Great Sphinx of Giza, often known simply as the Sphinx, is a limestone sphinx statue located in Giza, Egypt.
Easily one of Egypt's more recognizable monuments, it lies within the Giza necropolis, a short distance to the east from the Pyramid of Khafre, and represents the mythical creature for which it is named. It is widely believed to be a monument to Khafre, built during the Old Kingdom.[1]
Description[edit | edit source]
Dating from the Fourth dynasty, approximately 2600 to 2500 BCE, the Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest and oldest Egyptian monument that is still standing. It was carved from a natural limestone outcrop and measures 19.8 meters tall, 73.2 meters long, and 14 meters wide.[2]
The modern Egyptian Arabic name for the Great Sphinx is أبو الهول (Abū al Hūl, English: "The Terrifying One", literally: "Father of Dread"), which is derived from Balhoula in the Coptic language.[3]
History[edit | edit source]
During his travels across Egypt in the mid-1st century BCE, Bayek encountered the Sphinx and explored a series of tunnels hidden below the statue, leading him to the Isu ruin of Eesfet Oon-m'Aa Poo.[4] The Medjay also visited the market set up in the colonnade near the monument during his search for the member of the Order of the Ancients known as the Hyena.[5]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
The projection from the activated altar under the Great Sphinx is based on the diagrams on the Voyager Golden Record covers merged with the Dendera zodiac.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Bayek on top of the Sphinx
-
Lights on the ceiling
-
Lights on the ceiling activated
-
The vault's entrance
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (first appearance)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Legacy of the First Blade
- Echoes of History – Origins (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx: "When Was It Built & Who Does It Represent?
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx: "The Great Sphinx Of Giza"
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The Riddles of the Sphinx: "Use of Limestone"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Hyena