Influence of Greek and Roman Temples Essay

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

The difference is that the columns of the Pantheon were Corinthian style columns in contrast to the Ionic style columns of the Jefferson Memorial. The cella of the Jefferson memorial is open with columns as walls all around the rotunda. They were also used for different purposes, the Pantheon is a temple and the Jefferson Memorial is a memorial. However, just like how the dome represented the unity and symmetry of the Roman Empire, it also symbolizes the democracy that has grown in America through unity. There are many various features of Roman architecture that are evident in the Virginia State Capitol Building and the Jefferson Memorial.

Ancient Greek architecture dates from around 800 BCE when the site of Delphi first obtained a religious significance. The architecture of Ancient Greece has influenced the architecture of the past two millennia most significantly that of Ancient Rome (Hemingway, 2003). Greek architecture influenced Roman architecture in extensive ways, giving that the Romans adopted and incorporated many Greek methods and elements into their own practice. Although the Romans were inspired by the Greek there are still many differences in their architecture most noticeably through materiality. Although the Greeks constructed many types of buildings the most recognisable “Greek” structure is the temple. (Becker, 2015) As stated by Coleen Hemingway in an article for the Metropolitan Museum of Art “ the Greek temple best exemplifies the aims and methods of Greek Architecture”. Whilst exploring such architecture it is necessary to examine the mentality, religious beliefs and driving forces of each civilization. According to Stierlin “Unlike the Greek temple, essentially a structure for the play of light and shade, with little interior space accommodating a small sanctuary, Roman builders typically used arches, vaults, matching domes

There are two wonderful representations of ancient architecture featured through Parthenon in Athens, Greece and Pantheon in Rome, Italy. Pantheon draws many of its elements on the original construction of Parthenon; however, it holds its own with addition of new elements. The buildings have both, similarities and differences and are important representations of cultural heritage and religious and political practices of their times. Parthenon was constructed in Athens, Greece by Pericles, a statesman between 447 BCE and 438 BCE. The architects were Ictinus and Callicrates.

During the fifth century and Eighth century BCE, The Etruscan Temples and The Parthenon were built and valued by their cultures for many spiritual and cultural reasons. Similar to the Parthenon, The Etruscan Temples are built with influences from Greece. However, Both have different appearances based off of there medium, purpose, and architecture. The Etruscan Temple and the Parthenon both have strong stances within there cultures and provide peace and empowerment for the population of the time. Both structures are two similar ancient buildings, though there differences in culture and architecture set them apart.

Architectural monuments can be interpreted in many unique ways; writings from historical voices allow visions into ancient architecture. The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was built in 470-457 B.C., and is a very classic example of a doric style temple. In a short description by ancient geographer Pausanias, The Temple of Zeus is described quite plainly and equitably. Described in strongest detail are the carved friezes and pediment statues with exact numbers and materials. Pausanias’s description of the temple is much more informational compared to some architectural interpretations written around the same time. Although not describing the temple in a poetic and artistic way, Pausanias illustrates a clear picture

The Greeks invented the Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian orders of architecture that most of the world use today. The Romans heavily copied the Greeks style of Architecture in the Creation of the Pantheon in many ways they look the same. Well, maybe not exactly the same but close enough to make the average person wonder if the Romans were trying to copy the Parthenon. Finally status. The Parthenon and the Pantheon were designed to create a way for control of the for the masses a place to bring to a head all of the religious fervor or political duty.

Initial observations of the Roman Pantheon from the front appear to be similar to the ruins of the Greek Parthenon, but really both structures are somewhat unique in their composition, purpose, design, and fate. Constructed over half of a millennium after the Parthenon was built, the Pantheon, built in 27 B.C., exhibits some of the architectural styles and characteristics of its predecessor. However, the Romans refined Greek building techniques, thereby developing a unique and more advanced architectural style.

Built originally as temples, we see above some ways where we can draw a difference between Ancient Rome's and Greece's building techniques. Both structures were transformed converted into churches but nowadays only the Pantheon remains one, the Parthenon is a museum. Both structures went through much degradation, specially the Parthenon but both still stand tall, marvelling everyone to this day.

The Parthenon & The Pantheon The Parthenon and the Pantheon are both two iconic and famous buildings in Greek and Roman architecture. Till this day they are a source of inspiration for architects that are working on modern projects that reflects both power and wealth. Both being ancient temples they were made for similar purposes and share similarities and differences in style. The Parthenon built in 447-438 BCE in ancient Greece is in Athens and was made to celebrate and worship the goddess Athena.

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 have similarities. One of the main similarities is that they are both ancient temples, one being built in Greece and the other in Rome.

Since the 7th century, it has been used as a Roman Catholic Church (Pantheon n.d.). On the other hand, Parthenon used to be a temple in the middle of the Acropolis built between 447 BC and 432 BC in Athens. The Parthenon was directed

The word Pantheon is derived from the Greek word "pan”, which means "all” and "theos” which means "god”. The Roman culture seems to borrow on the Greek classical culture. The style and the function of these classical ancient temples show that Greeks and Romans were worshipers of many gods; and were a religious society. They provide invaluable information about the past, portrays great technical skills, lifestyle and social structures.The Parthenon shows Greece superiority in technology advancement, which gave birth to an age of philosophers.The two structures having been constructed from marble (Parthenon) and granite and concrete (Pantheon), shows that those were the raw materials available in those days. These ancient cultures portray people who also were political in their days and they loved to pass strong messages through art (classical buildings).

The Parthenon is located in Athens, Greece on the Athenian Acropolis. It was built between 447-438 B.C. Its original purpose was a temple to the Goddess Athena (Pantheon vs Parthenon, n.d.) It was built by Iktinos and Kalikrates and commissioned by the great Athenian statesman, Perikles (What was the…n.d.). It is now currently a museum.

The acropolis is influential to archietcts and sculptors of today as they see Athens as a great wonder and sets high architecture standards for today. Although it was designed and built in the 5th century the level of craftmanship is exceptionaly high given the crude tools they would have had at the time. Sadly, the affect of the Parthenon and the rest of the acropolis is diminished due to the poor treatment of its sacred buildings. The temples have been ruined due to a mixture of reasons including wars, air pollution and neglect. Architects, sculptors, archaelologists and historians can go see the Elgin marbles if they’re interested. These are a collection of classical Greek marble structures taken from the Parthenon and resculpted by Phidias,