In Greek mythology, who solved the riddle of the Sphinx?

The Sphinx in Greek mythology was said to be a female monster, with the head of a woman, a lion’s body, the wings of an eagle and possibly a serpent’s tail.

This imagery of course differs from the Egyptian Sphinx which is normally simply that of a lion’s body, and the head of a man. The two Sphinxes also differed in temperament for whilst the Egyptian Sphinx was thought to be a beneficial guardian, the Greek Sphinx had murderous intent.

Those who passed near to the Sphinx would be asked a riddle by the monster; the riddle of the Sphinx being - “What animal is that which in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening upon three?”

Those who could not solve the riddle, which was everyone, was killed by the Sphinx.

Following the loss of his son, King Creon proclaimed that the person who rid the land of the Sphinx would be presented with the throne.

The hero Oedipus took up the challenge, and deliberately went to Mount Phicium to encounter the Sphinx. The Sphinx of course asked the riddle of Oedipus, and the young man simply answered “Man”.

A man in childhood would move on hands and knees (four feet), during adulthood would walk on two feet, and in old age would make use of a cane or staff as a third foot.

As soon as Oedipus correctly solved her riddle, the Sphinx threw herself off of the mountainside, and was dashed on the mountainous slope, thus ended the life of the Sphinx.