ATLANTES

( ἄτλαντες ) and TĔLĂMŌNES ( τελαμῶνες ), terms used in architecture, the former by the Greeks, the latter by the Romans, to designate those male figures which are sometimes fancifully used, like the female Caryatides , in place of columns. Both words are derived from τλῆναι , and the former evidently refers to the fable of Atlas, who supported the vault of heaven, the latter perhaps to the strength of the Telamon i an Ajax. IMG:6459379820872971714_ill048.jpg: Atlantes. (From Temple at Agrigentum: Profe or Cockerell.)