An acroterion or acroterium is an ornament placed on a plinth or acroter at the apex of the pediment of a building in the Classical style. It may also be placed at the outer angles of the pediment; such acroteria are referred to as acroteria angularia. The acroterion may take a wide variety of forms, such as a statue, tripod, disc, urn or some other sculpted feature. Acroterion is found in both gothic and classical architecture.
The word is Greek, meaning "summit"; it was Latinised by the Romans as acroterium.
See also