What Greek mythological figure is associated with the riddle of the Sphinx?

The figure associated with the riddle of the Sphinx is Oedipus. In the myth, the Sphinx terrorizes the city of Thebes, posing a riddle to travelers and devouring those who cannot answer it correctly. The riddle is famously known as: "What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?" Oedipus encounters the Sphinx during his journey to Thebes and successfully solves the riddle by answering "Man," referring to the different stages of human life. As a result of his cleverness, the Sphinx is defeated, leading to the relief of Thebes and Oedipus becoming its king. This pivotal moment establishes Oedipus's role in Greek mythology and is foundational to the narrative of tragedy that follows in his life.