Tutankhamun depicted as a sphinx literally crushing Egypt's enemies underfoot.

This scene, discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun, portrays the young ruler in sphinx form—combining a lion’s body with the king’s human head. In ancient Egyptian visual language, this hybrid figure conveyed royal power, wisdom, and divine legitimacy. A recurring motif shows the king crushing his enemies beneath him, a theme known in hieroglyphic texts as PtPt, symbolising dominance and control over chaos. The cartouche on the left identifies Tutankhamun as the depicted sovereign. Such imagery emphasises that the sphinx was not merely a protective guardian, but a potent emblem of kingship and authority. This protective symbolism is further reinforced by the presence of the goddess Nekhbet, depicted above the king.

Source: From the Tomb of Tuthankhamun KU Leuven