SPHINX (the riddler of Thebes)
Monster · mythological creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion
- Parents
- Typhon, Orthrus, chimera, Echidna
- Siblings
- Hydra
- Haunts and cult places
- Thebes
- In the sources
- 12 ancient passages
In the myths
Oedipus solved the Sphinx's riddle, which led to his victory songs. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 1710-1757 +1 The Sphinx killed Haemon, who was the son of Creon. The Story of Oedipus fr. 3 The Sphinx compelled the people to neglect other investigations to focus on its challenge. Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 102-131 The Sphinx destroyed the Cadmeans. The Theogony ll. 306-332 She used trickery to prevent her brothers from claiming the throne. Pausanias 9.26.3 According to one account, she attacked Anthedon with a fleet of ships. Pausanias 9.26.2 The Sphinx was oppressing and ravaging the city after Laius died. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 32-68 Creon offered marriage to Jocasta to anyone who could guess the Sphinx's riddle. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 32-68 The creature is described as carrying a single Cadmean under her body. Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes 526-562 She learned a riddle from the Muses. Apollodorus 3.5.8
Fate
Oedipus defeated her with a larger army after arriving from Corinth. Pausanias 9.26.2 The Sphinx threw herself from the citadel after Oedipus solved the riddle. Apollodorus 3.5.8
