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As far as I know, the terms "atronach" and "golem" are interchangeable in the lore. The creatures called Golems in earlier games are called Atronachs in recent ones, although the word "Golem" still gets tossed in for variety now and then, especially when referencing the Numidium.

MidbossVyers wrote:Ow, that's a bit harsh. According to http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Dragon_War dragon worship on Atmora was much more benevolent, but something triggered more brutal forms of worship on Tamriel. Now, I'm not saying that you're completely wrong, but along with power-hungry dragon priests, I do believe that there were some who were loyal. Heck http://uesp.net/wiki/Dragonborn:The_Gua ... he_Traitor writes Vahlok, like a hero.

Suffice to say, we're off topic if we discuss this any farther, but you're right. The Atmoran strain were nicer by reputation. Gotta keep in mind we interact with the Skyrim strain exclusively in the games, though. Don't have any other examples of older Priests to compare them to. Maybe in the future, someday. Either way, Dragon Priests are certainly masters of the kind of magic that constructs Golems and Atronachs. Most of the ones I've fought in the game summon things during combat. The Dragon Cult definitely didn't discourage Daedric tampering in their magicka. In fact, Alduin himself says "Even the Daedra fear me" when you fight him in Daedric armor.

So, keeping on the subject of conjuration and constructs, I'm gonna point that out and leave it out there. Various religious groups, even those who oppose the Daedra like the Thalmor and the ancient Dragon Cult, seem perfectly happy with weaponizing their enemies in the form of summons and conjured weapons. Daedra are often seen as tools, and relatively apolitical ones at that, in Mundus. Just like any other form of energy or tool to be used in a profession.