Unit 2: Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome
Jesse Tamburino
University of the People
Abstract
This paper reflects on the similarities and differences found in the Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome.
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome. There were two questions asked which were for us to “consider how the style and function (use) of each building serves as a typical example of its culture.” And also “How are the similarities and differences between ancient Greece and Rome seen in these two buildings?”. The buildings were built a few hundred years apart and while they do have differences they also
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The Pantheon is located in Rome Italy and was completed around 126AD. The purpose of this building was to serve as a temple for the Gods in ancient Rome. It is currently in use as a Roman Catholic church, so in essence it is still a house of worship. The architecture system is developed and based on arches. It was built by Publius Aelius Hadranus. The building is a circular building and is supported by Corinthian columns. The structure has a very large dome on top of it. The original construction was by Marcus Agrippa in 27BC and was destroyed,, then the emperor Publis Aelius Hadranus rebuilt it.
The Parthenon is located in Athenian Acropolis Greece and was built 447-438BC. The purpose of this building was to be a temple to the goddess Athena. It is currently used a s a museum. The design system that it uses is the Post and Lintel System and was construed by Kalikrates and Iktinos. There was a fire in the 3rd century AD that destroyed the roof of the temple and was also partially destroyed in na battle. It has also been looted and had many sculptures stolen and even rubble was looted from the building and reused as building materials.
Both the Pantheon and the Parthenon were originally designed as temples. Both of the temples use 8 columns to support a pediment. As well as both temples have endured the age of time and have faced
The Parthenon, built around 490 BCE, was one of the most explicit structures created in the Classical Era. Made from marble, it measures roughly 228 feet long and 100 feet wide, huge in comparison to the Pantheon which is located in Rome. The Parthenon was constructed and dedicated to the goddess Athena, while the Pantheon
Many people consider the Parthenon to be an extraordinary building. Why is this building so celebrated and influential? The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the building’s history, examine the intricate architectural choices, and explore the extent to which selected Classically-inspired architectural works have taken influence from the Parthenon.
Greek and Roman architecture is truly amazing. They each had great ideas, and fabulous productions. It is said that the Pantheon is to Italy what the Parthenon is to Greece. Both are tremendous monuments that reek of culture and history. Each had a purpose which was displayed by the design and construction of each. There are such great meanings behind each of these architecural structures. The Romans and the Greeks alike worshipped and dedicated their structures and designs to the Gods and Goddess they believed in.
The Rome’s Pantheon and Greek’s Parthenon are both significant and innovative structures that have influenced the architecture around the world. This essay will describe the style and function of each building as well as the similarities and differences between ancient Greece and Rome in four characters including history, design, usage, and similarity.
“The Parthenon was commissioned by Pericles sometime after Greek victories over the Persians between 490 and 480 BC” (Glancey 26, 27). During the Persian Greek wars, Athens believed that Athena watched over them and that she helped them throughout the war. The Parthenon represents the wealth, power, society, and culture of Athens. The building of the Parthenon cost the Athenians four hundred and sixty nine talents, which symbolized Athens as wealthy.
The most obvious similarity would be that of the protruding domes the two buildings possess. While they do have similar shape, they are constructed differently according to the style of the area. The Pantheon, for example, consists of stone and concrete, as opposed to the Dome of the Rock, which consists of a gilded wooden dome. With a central diameter of 142 feet, the Pantheon is actually the world’s largest unsupported dome. The romans had to design it with certain weight releases, such as the numerous coffers and the central oculus, in order to keep the dome from collapsing on itself. Because of its shape, most of the weight is pushed down and around the circumference of the dome. To keep it supported, thick concrete walls inside of the
The manipulation of materials used by the Romans has still not been equaled to this day. This reality is surprising when considering the span of time which has passed since the completion of the Pantheon. A period of almost two thousand years has come and gone without any other dome structure equivalently matching the enormity and importance of the Pantheon. Hadrian’s commencement of the Pantheon has created one of the more “influential works in Western architectural history (Fazio, Moffett, and Lawrence). Keeping in mind the pantheon was created as a temple to commemorate all the pagan gods of ancient Rome (Alcott). At the time it was a very large undertaking and Hadrian felt that using architecture was a sufficient course of action to demonstrate his imperial prowess. The Roman Empire was outstretched over a vast expanse of land and could not sustain itself, however Hadrian used his knowledge of the lay to procure some elements for his reconstruction of the Pantheon. Literally meaning “many gods” the pantheon also served as a sundial with an oculus opening at the apex of the dome. Hadrian’s belief in pagan deities coerced him to create a grand structure suitable to express the divine influence of the gods over the Roman Empire. In fact, Hadrian’s reign produced many architectural exploits that had never been seen or even attempted before his
The Parthanon was constructed in Athens in the middle of the 5th century B.C. The Greeks had just come up victorious against their arch-rivals the Persians. Greeks of that time firmly believed in the control over their lives as free citizen, they also thought that the Gods had great influence over the existence of men. The leaders of Athens found it wholly appropriate to build a great temple dedicated to Athena, the patron saint of Athens. They did this as thanks for victory, and continued good fortune, as the Gods could be capricious if not curry-favored.
The Pantheon is from the Romanesque era. Originally, built as a temple for the Romans, it is a massive structure that stands 142 feet tall and was built in 126 AD. Made of marble, yet the dome is not reinforced and is made of concrete. The massive Corinthian style columns really show its roman influence as noted by the motifs of scrolls and leaves. The craftsman ship of the massive building truly amazes me, how did the Romans build this? They surely did not have the tools and equipment we have today. Yet, it still stands!
The Roman Pantheon is an architectural wonder built by the Roman's over 18 centuries ago that has had enormous impact on architectural design and techniques still today. Built under the reign of Emperor Hadrian 118-128A.D during the High Empire Period the Pantheon we know today was built in the same location as two prior pantheon's that both fell to fire (Kleiner 210). Although the exact artist(s) of that of the Pantheon are not particularly known credit goes to Emperor Hadrian whom dedicated the newly rebuilt Pantheon to Marcus Agrippa, the person whom created the very first pantheon that stood in the same spot(Moore). The word pantheon itself is of Greek orientation and means “a temple to all gods”(Kleiner 210) and the Roman Pantheon
It is important to look at the ancient buildings especially the Pantheon and Hagia Sophia microscopically, these will help us to find out about their similarities and differences as two ancient buildings transformed the architectural industry in Ancient Rome and Turkey. To start with, it is important to arrive at what the Pantheon and Hagia Sophia are;
The Parthenon, with no doubt, is one of the best well-known Greek temples of all times. It is also the dominant temple on the Akropolis. Its construction began in 447 BC and ended in 438
Pantheon, with its revolutionary design, serves as a premium exemplar of the Roman architecture of Hadrianic times where the grand traditions of trabeated classical architecture are brought together with the more youthful vaulted style. The building, completed in 128 CE, consists of three division of space---the more traditional columnar porch visible to the approaching visitors, the unconventional and innovative huge domed rotunda which most likely would be a surprise to the inspectors of its time, and the rectangular form which have been introduced as a transition from the porch to the rotunda.
One of the most impressive accomplishments of Ancient Greece is the remarkable structure of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The Parthenon is one of the most inspiring works of architecture known to mankind. The project of the extraordinary Acropolis was taken on by one of the most influential leaders of history, Pericles. Pericles influenced not only the building of one of the grandest works but the example of democracy displayed by the Greeks. The architecture was unique for its time, it featured excellent structure,the breathtaking Metopes featuring the epic battles of the gods, the Frieze a detailed sculpture displaying a procession of Greeks, and was built to house the magnificent statue of Athena adorned in gold. The Parthenon was
The Pantheon is a former Roman temple, completed in 126 AD. Currently a state property, it is now a Roman Catholic Church. As one of Rome’s most well preserved ancient buildings, it has had continuous use through the ages. This is likely due to the fact that it was converted from a temple to a church early on, saving it from sacking and destruction. At its’ inception, it is believed to have been a temple to numerous Roman deities. (“Pantheon, n.d.) The name pantheon refers to a temple dedicated to all the gods. (Merriam Webster, n.d.) The building is made up of a portico, or porch, and a rectangular vestibule that connects the porch to a rotunda. The rotunda features an oculus that provides light as well as ventilation. During rain and storms, any water entering the uncovered oculus runs off into built-in drains still functioning from their original construction. The dome’s inner design is comprised of intersecting arches and coffers. Likely symbolic, these were built in multiples of eight,