Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈakrəˌlɪθ/

Definitions

• A type of ancient statue in which the body is made of perishable material (such as wood) while the head, hands, and feet are made of stone.
• In archaeology, refers to a sculptural figure where the extremities (head, hands, and feet) are carved from stone or other durable materials, while the trunk and limbs are modeled in a softer, less durable medium.

Usage Examples

• "The ancient Greek temple housed an acrolith of Athena, with a stone head and hands, but a wooden body."
• "Excavations revealed an acrolith figure, illustrating the hybrid use of materials in early sculpture."

Etymology

The word 'acrolith' is derived from the Greek 'akros' meaning 'extreme' or 'top' and 'lithos' meaning 'stone'. The term reflects the combination of stone for the extremities of the statue and perishable material for the body.

Synonyms

• Stone extremity sculpture
• Hybrid sculpture

Antonyms

• Full stone sculpture
• Bronze statue

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "acrolith" remains consistent across most dialects of English, with slight variations in stress. In American English, the emphasis is typically placed on the first syllable (/ˈakrə/), while in British English, the second syllable may be emphasized slightly more (/ˈlɪθ/).

Historical Usage

Acroliths are most commonly associated with ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. The use of acrolithic statues, combining durable stone with perishable materials, was particularly prevalent in religious and temple art. These statues were often created for deities and were placed in sacred spaces, as the more durable material for the extremities symbolized strength and permanence, while the perishable body was a representation of the fleeting nature of life.

Cultural Nuances

In ancient Greek culture, the acrolith was a popular method for creating large sculptures due to the difficulty of carving large statues entirely from stone. This allowed artists to focus their efforts on the more visible and symbolic elements, such as the face and hands, while the body was often rendered in a more temporary material. Over time, the technique fell out of favor as sculptors began to develop more advanced methods of working with stone and bronze.

More Information

The acrolithic style of sculpture was prominent in the Classical period of Greece and continued to influence art in Roman times. The famous statue of Athena in the Parthenon was an acrolith, with the extremities carved in marble, while the body was constructed from wood. This technique allowed the creation of large statues that could stand the test of time, while also addressing the challenges posed by the weight and size of full stone sculptures. The use of materials that could be molded or shaped more easily, like wood and other perishable substances, also allowed for greater flexibility in artistic expression.