Corinthian
Corinthian columns have capitals with two rows of carved acanthus leaves and four spirals sprouting over the leaves. This style of column was originally Greek but used most widely by the Romans.

Doric
Doric columns are used in the Doric order of Architecture; one of the three widely seen Classical orders of architecture originating from ancient Greece. Doric columns have capitals with a simple curved molding. They were more typical of ancient Greek architecture than of Roman architecture.

Egyptian

Egyptian columns often have a lotus motif on the capital. Originally used during Ancient Egyptian times, this style re-appeared during the Egyptian Revival style seen during the late 18th and 19th centuries as well as in the Art Deco style in the early to mid 20th century. They became particularly fashionable, along with all things Egyptian, in the years following Howard Carter's discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922.

Ionic
Ionic columns have a capital with two spirals, called volutes, and relatively slender shafts. The Ionic Order of architecture was seen during both ancient Greek and Roman civilizations though in Greek architecture the shafts are more likely to be fluted and in Roman architecture they are more likely to be plain.

Romanesque
Romanesque columns were originally seen in the Romanesque style of architecture in Western Europe from the 9th century to 12th century. Romanesque, also known as "Norman" in France and England, had a revival in the 1800s where the columns typical of the style, with simple curved moldings, were fashionable. The American architect Henry Hobson Richardson (1838 - 1886) put his own spin on the Romanesque style in what is called Richardsonian Romanesque; this was quite popular in the 19th century.