Post originally by Gez at 2003-04-09 01:14:52
Converted from Phorums BB System

Xerfilstyx -- they probably wanted to make the Styx association less obvious.

Maelephant -- this comes from Planescape. It's the evil twin of the Holyphant. The holyphant was probably started as a joke, and the maelephant was made later just because.

About caryatids, why would they be misnamed ?

"caryatid , a sculptured female figure serving as an ornamental support in place of a column or pilaster. It was a frequently used motif in architecture, furniture, and garden sculpture during the Renaissance, the 18th cent., and notably, the classic revival of the 19th cent., when caryatids were popular as mantelpiece supports. The motif appeared in Egyptian and Greek architecture; the most celebrated example extant is the Porch of the Caryatids, forming part of the Erechtheum. Here six beautifully sculptured figures, acting as columns, support an entablature on their heads. Caryatids were used also in two small treasuries (6th cent. B.C.) at Delphi. Male supporting figures are called atlantes."
From http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0810668.html

"Caryatids were draped female figures used instead of columns to support the entablatures of temples. They are named after the women of a Spartan town (Karyai), according to Vitruvius.

The most famous caryatids are on the porch of the Erechtheum (420-415 BC), on the Acropolis.

They are sometimes called korai maidens."
From http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_caryatid.htm