Caryae
/ˈkæri.iː/noun
An ancient town in Laconia, Greece, and the name of a group of women known as the Caryatids in classical architecture.
Did you know?The architectural term Caryatid comes from Caryae, because classical writers linked the sculpted female columns to women from that town.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Καρύαι (Karyai)
“A town in Laconia, associated in later tradition with women and ritual dance.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Καρυᾶτις (Karyatis)
“A woman of Caryae; later, a female figure used as a supporting column in architecture.”
Latin
Latin
Caryatides
“Caryatids, the carved female supports in buildings.”
Renaissance / 16th Century
Latin/European
Caryatid
“An architectural female figure serving as a column or support.”
Modern English
English
Caryae
“The ancient Greek place name, usually encountered in historical or archaeological contexts.”