Μarble sphinx

This marble sphinx was placed on a stele erected on the tomb of an eminent Corinthian or Athenian in the Northern Cemetery of Corinth. Sphinxes were daemonic beasts with the head of a woman, the wings of a bird, the body of a lion, and the tail of a snake; they embodied supernatural powers that would scare people of the Archaic period. For that reason, they were used as apotropaic and chthonic figures, connected to the powers of the Underworld. They were often placed on tombs in order to discourage would-be grave robbers. The apotropaic character of the specific monument has been further highlighted by the typical turning of the head towards the onlooker.

Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth, c. 550 B.C