What mythological figure solved the riddle of the sphinx?

The figure who solved the riddle of the Sphinx is Oedipus. According to Greek mythology, the Sphinx posed a riddle to travelers: "What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?" Oedipus successfully answered the riddle with "Man," referring to the stages of a person's life: as a baby crawling on all fours, as an adult walking on two legs, and in old age using a cane, which can be thought of as a third leg.

This clever solution allowed Oedipus to defeat the Sphinx, who then killed herself out of despair. His victory not only saved Thebes but also set in motion the tragic events of his life, ultimately leading to his famed story of fate and self-discovery. The riddle and its resolution highlight themes of knowledge, identity, and the journey of life, reinforcing Oedipus's role as a pivotal figure in Greek mythology.