Home Religion, Bible & Theology Sphingen in Ägypten und in der Levante: Variationen eines vielseitigen Motivs
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Sphingen in Ägypten und in der Levante: Variationen eines vielseitigen Motivs

  • Erika Fischer EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: January 17, 2014
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

The motif of the sphinx originated in Egypt and became widely distributed throughout the ancient Near East and the Aegean. In dealing with its history and changing appearances we can reconstruct mutual intercultural contacts.This paper explores two classical variants of the sphinx and the context of their representation: the calm sphinx resting on its legs and the violent one that tramples on human beings or dominates other creatures.The Egyptian prototypes are discussed in due detail to clarify some interesting features that were imitated or modified by Levantine artisans. Moreover, a fragmentary representation on a wall painting from Tell Sakka - hitherto interpreted as an anthropomorphic image - should rather be reconstructed as sphinx.The study assesses possible media of contact and points out further lines of inquiry.

Online erschienen: 2014-01-17
Erschienen im Druck: 2013-12

© 2014 Akademie Verlag GmbH, Markgrafenstr. 12-14, 10969 Berlin.

Downloaded on 16.1.2026 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1524/aof.2013.0013/pdf
Scroll to top button