The Erechtheion Caryatid – Karyatis

This Caryatid is a marble sculpted female figure that was initially part of the Erechtheion, which is an ancient Greek temple on the Acropolis of Athens in Greece. This Caryatid is one of six female figures that supported the architrave on the south porch of the Erechtheion.

The Caryatid wears a peplos pinned on each shoulder. A peplos is a body-length garment that was the typical attire for women in ancient Greece. Her hair is braided and falls down her back. The body weight is depicted as taken on the right leg, hidden by vertical folds of the garment, and the other leg is bent.

A caryatid served as an architectural support taking the place of a column or a pillar. The Greek term “karyatides” literally means “maidens of Karyai,” an ancient town. In 1800 this Caryatid was removed by Lord Elgin to decorate his Scottish mansion, and it was later sold to the British Museum, along with other sculptures taken from the Parthenon.

Elgin also attempted to remove an additional Caryatid; unfortunately, Elgin’s workmen smashed that statue, and its fragments were left behind. Local legend claimed that at night the remaining Caryatids could be heard wailing for their lost sister.

Later during the Greek War of Independence, the building was bombarded by the Ottomans, who severely damaged the ceiling and blew up large sections of the walls. Since then, the Erechtheum has undergone several restoration projects.

Caryatids in Architecture

The Romans copied the Erechtheion caryatids, installing copies in the Forum of Augustus and the Pantheon in Rome, and at Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. The practice of integrating caryatids into building facades was revived in more modern times. Additionally, in interiors, they began to be employed in fireplaces and large doorways.

Erechtheion

The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece, which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. On the north side, there is a porch with six Ionic columns, and on the south is the famous “Porch of the Maidens.” The Porch of the Maidens had six draped female figures caryatids as supporting columns.

One of those original six figures that was removed by Lord Elgin is now in the British Museum in London. The Acropolis Museum holds the other five figures, which are replaced onsite by replicas.

The hair of the Korai (maidens) is braided and falls in like a thick rope down her back. They carry the architectural capital like a basket on her head. The weight she bears is taken on the right leg, and the other leg is bent forward with the drapery molded to it.

The original Caryatids in the Acropolis Museum

Peplos

A peplos is a body-length garment typical of the attire for women in ancient Greece. It was a long, tubular cloth with the top edge folded down about halfway. The top of the tube was draped below the waist, and the bottom of the tube was at the ankle. The garment was then gathered about the waist and the folded top edge pinned over the shoulders. The folded-down top of the tube provided the appearance of the second piece of clothing. The Caryatid statues show a typical drapery.

Reflections on The Erechtheion Caryatid

How have these statues influenced architectural elements in more modern buildings?
In the 1800s, local legends claimed that at night the Caryatids could be heard wailing for their lost sister.
If Lord Elgin had not faced financial difficulties, he would have used this masterpiece to decorate his mansion. The Romans did the same thing with other Greek masterpieces. Why did the Romans not pillage the Acropolis temples as later conquers and superpowers did?