Question

What is a sphinx? What was its purpose?

Answer 1

The purpose of the Sphinx was to guard the pyramids and crush the Pharaohs enemies that try to rob his tomb. It also means the wisdom and strength. that's what I would have thought it was without reading it.

Answer 2

The original purpose of the Sphinx is unknown. It may have been built to symbolically guard over the Giza plateau, and it may have been a portrait of Pharaoh Khafre. It's face seems to bear a resemblance to Khafre's, and the royal headdress that it wears is particular to pharaohs.