1. The Sphinx of Naxos – Made between 570 and 560 BC The Sphinx of Naxos, shown on the left, has the head of a woman, the wings of a griffin and the body of a lion. Standing just over 7 feet tall, the sculpture appears to be much larger; this is mainly due to its placement atop a 10 meter high Ionic column. Discovered in a series of broken pieces in 1861, this marble structure is considered both impressive and quite detailed. In ancient Greece, sphinxes were most often placed atop funerary monuments with their heads turned sideways to frighten strangers. This one, however, was carved to look straight ahead and stood beneath the terrace of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. This monument served as a guardian within the sanctuary, ensuring that no evil entered the sacred precincts of the temple. Not only does this artifact show us that the ancient Greeks were heavily influenced by other cultures, particularly the Egyptians, but it also serves as an example of the fervor with which the Greeks believed in protecting their gods and goddesses from all impurity and granted them peace instead. good fortune and overall security on the sacred land.2. The Artemision Bronze – This larger-than-life bronze statue was recovered from the sea off Cape Artemision in 1926 and then excavated two years later. The Artemision bronze dates back to around 460 BCE and is the subject of much controversy. One wonders whether or not this artistic masterpiece represents Zeus or Poseidon, the god of the ocean, because it is not really clear whether the character was grasping a thunderbolt, for Zeus, or a trident, for Poseidon. Although there is no exact evidence of who this sculpture embodies, most archaeologists believe it to be a representation of Zeus. This artifact gives a true sense of the extent to which humans today analyze the techniques and materials of Greek art and, of course, provide insight into the lives of those who have passed away. 10. Venus de Milo or Aphrodite of Melos – This statue erected in honor of the Greek goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, was sculpted by the Greek artist Alexandros around 150 BC and later found on the Aegean island of Melos on April 8, 1820. The statue is made entirely of marble and measures approximately 203 cm high; making his physique appear larger than life. Although the statue is not 100% intact, having lost both arms throughout history, the Venus de Milo is still considered one of the most famous and beautiful ancient Greek statues that showcase true feminine beauty. Aphrodite inspired love and admiration in all who saw her. Ultimately, without Aphrodite, the most basic human need that must be met in order to survive would not exist..