What is the male version of caryatids called in classical architecture?

What is the male version of caryatids called in classical architecture?

• A. Atlantes
• B. Antlantids
• C. Telamons
• D. Columns

Answer: (B)

In classical architecture, figures carved as supports for an entablature are called Atlantes when they are male. The name comes from Atlas, the mythic figure who bears the heavens, symbolizing the weight-bearing role of the sculpture. The singular form is telamon, with telamons as the plural. So the male version of a caryatid is best described as Atlantes (with Telamon/Telamons as the singular/plural forms). The term that isn’t recognized, antlantids, isn’t used in architectural vocabulary, and calling them simply “columns” misses the specialized sculpted figure idea.

In classical architecture, figures carved as supports for an entablature are called Atlantes when they are male. The name comes from Atlas, the mythic figure who bears the heavens, symbolizing the weight-bearing role of the sculpture. The singular form is telamon, with telamons as the plural. So the male version of a caryatid is best described as Atlantes (with Telamon/Telamons as the singular/plural forms). The term that isn’t recognized, antlantids, isn’t used in architectural vocabulary, and calling them simply “columns” misses the specialized sculpted figure idea.