The Sphinx and the Riddle of Thebes

In Greek mythology, the Sphinx was a mysterious creature with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the head of a woman.

The Sphinx guarded the entrance to the city of Thebes and challenged travelers with a riddle.

Anyone who failed to answer the riddle correctly was killed by the creature.

The riddle asked:

"What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"

Many people attempted to solve the riddle but failed.

Eventually, the hero Oedipus arrived and answered correctly. The answer was a human being.

Humans crawl on four legs as babies, walk on two legs as adults, and use a cane in old age.

When the Sphinx realized the riddle had been solved, she threw herself from a cliff.

The story became one of the most famous examples of intelligence overcoming danger in mythology.

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