User:GlisteningLizard/Poggio Civitate

Archaic Sphinx Akroterion
During the Greek Archaic Period, symbols of a Sphinx were commonly seen on the ceilings of sacred buildings. They most commonly took forms of acroteria, antefixes, and simas. Many Archaic Sphinx Akroterion were modeled using materials of marble, poros and tufa, as well as terracota. They appeared in a vast region of Ancient Greece, including 39 of them from the mainland, 11 from Magna Graecia, 8 from East Greece, 1 from Crete, and 1 from Cyrene. Mainland Sphinx Akroterion can be found at Delphi, Athens, and Corinth.

Regarding all symbols of akroterion, sphinxes were the most commonly seen. Its structure carried three fundamental characteristics that allowed for it to be distinguished from other similar symbols. First, it is modeled in a round manner. Second, there is evidence of weathering on its structure. Lastly, it is composed of the same material used to construct the building it resides in.

Sphinx motifs entered Greek culture during the Orientalizing Period. They first appeared in paintings and jewelery. The Archaic Period began incorporating Sphinx in the form of statues seen often on top of columns. The Archaic Sphinx Akroterion perched at high elevations and included a 90 degree head shift away from their body to face the audience.

The Sphinx as a motif has ties to the story of Thebes and Oedipus. Within the story, Oedipus encountered a Sphinx terrorizing the city of Thebes, badgering citizens to properly answer his riddle. If the citizens answered wrong, the Sphinx attacked them. Fortunately, for Oedipus, he answered the riddle correctly.