The Sphinx of Naxos, also Sphinx of the Naxians, now in the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, is a 2.22 meter tall marble statue of a sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a woman, the chest and wings composed of the impressive feathers of a prey bird turned upward, and the body of a lioness. The Sphinx stood on a 10 meter column that culminated in one of the first Ionic capitals, and was erected next to the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the religious center of Ancient Greece, in 560 BCE.
The Sphinx of the Naxians, Delphi Archaeological Museum
The Naxian Sphinx on its 12.5 meters (41 ft) Ionic column (reconstruction)
The Sphinx of the Naxians was erected next to the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the religious center of Ancient Greece.
Naxos Sphinx pillar base and notice.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Delphi Archaeological museum is one of the principal museums of Greece and one of the most visited. It is operated by the Greek Ministry of Culture. Founded in 1903, it has been rearranged several times and houses the discoveries made at the Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which date from the Late Helladic (Mycenean) period to the early Byzantine era.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Interior of the museum
Reconstruction of the Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi.
Head of a Griffon (bronze)
