Sphinx of Naxos

The Naxian Sphinx.

The Sphinx of Naxos was a colossal statue sent around 560 BC as an offering to the temple of Apollo by Naxos, one of the richest Cycladic islands at the time. Its overall height topped 12.5 meters. Oversized and imposing, the Sphinx’s figure and prominent position at the sanctuary symbolized the superiority of Naxos, both politically and economically, as well as artistically, during the Archaic period. The statue of this mythical creature with its eerie demonic form stood on a towering Ionic column, which may have been the oldest Ionic construction project in the site of the oracle. It was placed in front of the polygonal wall of the sanctuary. According to tradition and its mythological representation, the Sphinx had a female face with an enigmatic smile on a lion body and bird wings. The famous Naxian Sphinx was carved onto a large piece of Naxos marble. The solid construction combined elements that gave the statue a character of motion and vitality, such as the decorative details to depict the hair, chest and especially the wings that were the most impressive.^[1][2][3]

The statue bore an inscription engraved on its base during the 4th century, according to which the citizens of Naxos were honored by the priests of Delphi with the privilege of promanteia, i.e. the right to have priority in receiving oracles over other believers and pilgrims.

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