Influence of Greek and Roman Temples Essay

Many similar characteristics are used throughout the Classical and Early Empire when the construction of temples was being built. Though old techniques were used, the advancement of new methods were being introduced to build faster, stronger, and in different shapes and sizes. We will discuss the Parthenon and the Pantheon; though similar in name, they do have some differences that represent the Greek and Roman styles.

The Pantheon deduces its name from Greek word meaning “All the gods of a religion”. The Pantheon was originally constructed as a famous temple in Rome which was devoted to all the gods of Ancient Rome. It is the best preserved building from Ancient Rome and was completed by 125 CE. Its magnificent dome is a living testimony to the genius of the Roman architects and as the building still remain undamaged, it offers a unique chance for the modern boulevardier to step back 2000 years and experience the glory that was Rome.

It is believed that the concrete was tapped extensively in its wet form to remove all the bubbles. The exact way it was built, is still unknown to this day. The purpose of Pantheon was to serve as a temple to all gods. Emperor Hadrian was an avid traveler, and allowed not only Roman gods to be worshiped in the temple, which was a progressive and a very politically smart gesture. Although the columns of the temple are distinctly Greek, the dome and the interior of the building are very Roman.

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.

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.

First I will discuss the a lot of the differences between these two structures. 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.

Design wise the pantheon is quite massive and have noticeable dome that weigh 4535 metric tons that constitutes its larger side, it is a circular building with portico supported by granite Corinthian columns. In 609 AD the building was given to the pope which was when it was converted into a Christian church that then saved it from destruction and lootings. It was also used as a tomb during the renaissance and is the location of some royal

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.

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 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.

The building is circular with a portico of Corinthian columns under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda which is under a coffered concrete dome (wiki...n.d.). The Romans were masters of concrete construction and this building is where they combine this new construction with old (The Beauty of the Pantheon and the Parthenon. n.d.) At the center of the dome was an oculus, an opening to the sky. The radius of the dome and the height of the oculus are equal distances. This is one of the most-preserved buildings of all Ancient Roman structures

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,

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 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 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,