A telamon is a male sculpture used as a structural or decorative support instead of pillars or columns.
The term is synonymous with Atlas, a mythological character forced by Zeus to hold up the heavens with his shoulders as punishment for having allied himself with Zeus’ father, Cronus, who led the Titans against the gods of Olympus.
These sculptures can be either upright or crouching.
The caryatid is the female version, also used as a column.
