Final answer:
The Sphinx enclosure was recognized as a place for legitimizing pharaohs' rule, and its temple had two sanctuaries linked to the sun. The Sphinx, which symbolizes royal power, was part of a broader Egyptian ideology connecting the pharaohs to the divine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sphinx enclosure was known as a place where pharaohs would visit early in their reign, often to legitimize their rule. While the specific name for the Sphinx enclosure is not provided, it is recognized for its connection to the Egyptian rulers and the symbolic significance it held.
The Sphinx itself is a monumental sculpture combining the body of a lion with the head of a human and is associated with royal power and protection. Directly in front of the Sphinx, there exists a temple that held the cult worship of this iconic figure.
This temple, although not widely understood due to the lack of Old Kingdom texts, is architecturally akin to Khafre's mortuary temple and includes two sanctuaries oriented towards the east and west. This design likely signifies a reverence for the sun, mirroring the broader Egyptian belief of the sun as a divine pathway, linking the king's journey to the afterlife with the celestial.
The role of the Sphinx and its connection to the ruling figures of Egypt, including their tombs and temples, reflects the deep-seated religious and political ideology of the ancient Egyptian civilization.
The significance of the Sphinx and its enclosure extended beyond just a solidified artwork; it symbolized the pharaoh's divine right to rule, a protective charm over Egypt, and a connection with the sun god Ra, especially during the Middle Kingdom when female sphinx figures emerged.