Telamon

Telamon is a figure in Greek mythology, traditionally recognized as the king of Salamis, a city on the island of Salamis near Athens. He is described as an Argonaut, accompanying Jason on the quest for the Golden Fleece. Telamon is also the father of Ajax the Great and Teucer, two prominent Greek warriors who fought in the Trojan War. In various mythic accounts, he is portrayed as a powerful leader whose descendants play central roles in the heroic narratives of the era.

In the realm of architecture, telamon refers to a sculpted male figure used as a supporting element in place of a column, bearing the weight of an entablature. Telamon figures, also called telamones, appear on temples and other monumental buildings as either full-figure supports or carved reliefs that function structurally. The term is widely used by art historians to describe these male figures and their architectural role, and they are often contrasted with the female counterpart known as a caryatid. The name telamon in this context is linked to the tradition of heavy, sturdy male figures supporting horizontal loads.

The name Telamon thus appears in two distinct domains: myth and architectural sculpture. While the mythological Telamon provides a genealogical and heroic framework within Greek legends, the architectural term Telamon designates a specific class of structural ornament that embodies strength and endurance in classical design. The two uses share a linguistic link but refer to different cultural phenomena.