Ancient Sphinx Inscription Deciphered to Reveal Unique Poetic Message

An ancient sphinx held a cryptic message that baffled experts for years. Recently, a breakthrough led to the deciphering of the "mysterious" inscription, unveiling an unconventional poem. The bronze sphinx, dating back to the third century from the Roman province of Dacia, was considered a representation of a mythical deity by its creators and users, according to Peter Revesz, a professor at the University of Nebraska. The statue, stolen in the 19th century, left only a detailed drawing behind, featuring the enigmatic inscription. Scholars struggled to decode it, as it was atypical for reading from left to right. However, Revesz identified the characters as Greek alphabet letters, leading to the translation of the message into a proto-Hungarian poem commanding the veneration of the sphinx. This discovery is significant as the sphinx cult was not mainstream in Roman mythology, providing a glimpse into a lesser-known religion within the empire. The inscription's poetic form also deviates from the usual prose seen in contemporary inscriptions, showcasing deliberate and artistic construction. This revelation sheds light on ancient beliefs and practices outside the dominant Roman pantheon, offering a rare insight into a minority religion of the time.