 | |
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Grouping | Legendary creatures |
| Similar entities | Sphinx |
| Origin | |
| Region | Ancient Egypt |
Thehieracosphinx (Ancient Greek:ἱερακόσφιγξ) is amythical beast found inEgyptian sculpture and Europeanheraldry.[1] The godHaroeris ("Horus the Elder") was usually depicted as one.[2] The name Hieracosphinx comes from the GreekΙερακόσφιγξ, itself fromἱέραξ (hierax "hawk") +σφίγξ ("sphinx").[3]
The Hieracosphinx has the head of ahawk and the body of alion. The name was coined byHerodotus for the hawk-headedsphinxes that he saw in Egypt; the other being theram-headed sphinx which Herodotus calledCriosphinx (Ancient Greek:Κριόσφιγξ).
The Hieracosphinx is the name of a monster card in theYu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.[4]
In theReal-time strategy gameAge of Mythology, worshippingBast allows players to upgrade their Sphinxes to Hieracosphinxes.
