Plate 83. The Pandrosium at Athens

Beside the forms of columns and pilasters heretofore considered, statues in the masculine and feminine, as supports for cornices and entablatures, also are found in various monuments of antiquity. The former are called telamons; the latter, caryatides, so called, according to Vitruvius, from the Carya in Laconia, from whence, at its conquest by the Greeks, the women were led away captive, and to perpetrate their slavery were represented in buildings as charged with burdens. On works of delicate proportions supports of this kind can be introduced very effectively, but too large a scale should be guarded against, as the human form at a colossal size is easily startling, particularly where several stand together. Also care should be taken that they do not appear overloaded, thus representing an unnatural function. It appears very proper with forms of this style to give the capital which is carried on the head the shape of a basket, in the free form of which is found a suitable transition to the straight lines of the entablature. On small porches, tabernacles, etc., for supporting balconies, and on attic stories before the pilasters, these figures find suitable application.

It has already been mentioned at the description of the Temple of Minerva Polias (Plate 33) how the Pandrosium, or south portico, was connected thereto. The Pandrosium consists of a portico covered with marble slabs, the entablature being carried by six statues and two small pilasters, standing on a base which extends around three sides. On this portico built of Pentelic marble is unfolded art of the highest origination, and the proportions and profiles of the members are in strict harmony with one another and with the whole. The ornamentation is of the most perfect execution and in the best style.

In order that the Ionic entablature should not appear too heavy for the statues, the frieze has been omitted. Nor was it required from a constructive standpoint, as the roof slabs were carried on the architrave and not on beams as was the case with larger porticos. The dentil member occurring here is the earliest example of this ornament. A striking egg mould seems to take the place of the cyma, although the bead mould thereover indicates that above, another member followed, which is now missing. This could only have been a cyma which answered for the crowning member and gutter at the same time. Probably it was of bronze. The disks on the upper fascia of the architrave are projections for incompleted rosettes.

The statues are of the greatest beauty, but they are often incorrectly designated caryatides. They represent virgins in pan-Athenean festival dress. On the Frontispiece, Plate 1; is represented one of these figures complete.