Sphinx of Nectanebo I

Luxor, Egypt (plan)

Here is one of Nectanebo's sphinxes, wearing a pensive expression like the Middle Kingdom pharaohs of old. This successful ruler spent much of his 18-year reign in fighting Egypt's Persian enemies and enlarging her temples – all praiseworthy activities for an Egyptian ruler who wished to "do right" (present ma'at) to the gods.