Sphinx

Greek Sphinx

Sphinxes are creatures from Ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology. They combine physical attributes of humans, birds, and lions. The sphinx, in Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face and breast of a woman. She is mythicised as treacherous and merciless. Those who cannot answer her riddle suffer a fate typical in such mythological stories, as they are killed and eaten by this ravenous monster. Unlike the Greek sphinx which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown as a man (an androsphinx). In addition, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed as benevolent in contrast to the malevolent Greek version and was thought of as a guardian often flanking the entrances to temples.

Sphinx in "The Horse of Bronze"

Sphinxes were the traditional enemies of centaurs. Their homeland was located to the south of the centaurs' homeland, across the Inner Sea. When contact with the Tin Isle was lost, and Centaurs were no longer able to import tin and thus to alloy copper into bronze, the sphinxes enjoyed a significant military advantage. They pressed this advantage and won a major victory over their foes in Asia Minor. This victory prompted the Centaurs to realize the severity of the crisis to which their tin shortage subjected them, and to mount several expeditions to attempt to secure sources of the metal.

Sphinx in "Myth Manners' Guide to Greek Missology"

Egyptian Sphinx, which sits beside the Pyramids of Giza

After defeating the Gorgons, Andromeda went to Egypt and met the Sphinx. She found his riddle to be something that everyone knew, and he gnashed his stone teeth in disappointment.