Acroterion

The Acroterion, also the acroterium or Akroterie (plural Akroteria, acroteria, acroteria or acroteria, Greek τὸ ἀκρωτήριον, Acroterion top corner, top ) often occurs in ancient Greek, Etruscan and Roman temple architecture as well as in grave stelae. The Acroterion serves as an architectural element of the crowning feature of the gable ridge and ornamentation of expiring pitched roof on the gable corners, then Eckakroter ( acroteria Angularia ) called.

Initially, a circular disk painted clay ( Scheibenakroter ), approximately at the Heraion at Olympia, the Acroterion was ornamental and plastically formed richer, mostly using vegetable motifs such as acanthus, or palmette. In addition, come next full plastic acroteria in the form of vases, tripods or mythical creatures such as the griffin and the sphinx also human figures - about Niken, horse Amazons - as Acroterion ago. Examples for the decoration of ancient buildings with acroteria are the archaic temple of Apollo at Delphi or the temple of Asklepios at Epidaurus. Like other architectural elements also - - In ancient times Akroteria were polychrome decorated, that is painted in color. The Acroterion always sitting on a the roof slopes balancing box, the Akroterkasten.

Etruscan acroteria were partially figured decorated.

The Acroterion was also in the Renaissance, in Classicism and Historicism in use element of ornamentation in architecture. There was limited not on public buildings or even Immediatbauten, but was also common in profane architecture.