The Sphinx at Giza
Chephren, the same king who built the second pyramid at Giza, also built the Sphinx at Giza. While building his pyramids, a laborer noticed that the limestone lump near by looked like a lion. Unless they could find another use for it, it would have to be leveled since it was so close to the pyramid. Since the king was often represented by a lion, they decided to make a statue with the head of king Chephren and the body of a lion.
The body is 66 feet high and 240 feet long. The nose was the height of an average Egyptian and the lips stretched seven feet across. Almost as soon as it was built, the king it resembled was forgotten and the Sphinx became a god by itself. Presents and prayers were brought to a temple built near by. It was popularly thought to have been created by the gods.
Other sphinxes were also made. At Abu Roash, a female sphinx associated with Chephren's older half brother has been discovered. Probably representing a Fourth Dynasty queen, it might be older than the one in Giza. Later variations on the sphinx included leaving the lion's ears and mane and only humanizing the face, and the criosphinx, with the head of a ram.