Pantheon: A Masterpiece of Roman Architecture

The Pantheon was built in Rome under the patronage of Emperor Hadrian between 125 and 128 CE. It was originally raised on a podium but that has long been covered up by centuries of dirt and debris (Stokstad, Art History, pg. 263). Its facade was made to resemble a typical Greek or Roman temple but behind this porch lies a giant rotunda, or circular building. " It has 20 foot thick walls that raise 75 feet high . . . and support a huge, round, bowl-shaped dome, 143 feet in diameter and 143 feet from the floor at its summit" (Stokstad, pg263-264). Like most Roman buildings, the Pantheon's surface consists of marble. Beneath the marble veneer lies internal brick arches and concrete that support the dome. The walls form a structural drum that holds up the dome. These structural elements are disguised by "a wealth of architectural detail-columns, exedrae, pilasters and entablatures-in two tiers"(Stokstad, pg. 264). The design of "simple repetition of square against a circle . . . established on a large scale by the juxtaposition of the rectilinear portico against the rotunda"(Stokstad, pg. 264-265). This repetition of square on circle is also repeated in the interior of the building. The floor also shows the motif of

The Parthenon located in Athens Greece was completed sometime after 432 B.C and represents to many the evolution of the Athenian leagues expansion of imperial power. The Pantheon located in Rome Italy was completed sometime before its dedication in 126 A.D. Pantheon, meaning “Temple of many Gods” unlike the Parthenon’s example of expanding power, the Pantheon represented Rome’s devotion to many Gods and eventually a (singular) God when it switched from Temple to a Church in the 7th century.

The Pantheon was built on the definite site of two earlier Pantheon structures, one commissioned by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (27-25 BCE) and the second by Domitian. The first building was destroyed by a fire in 80 CE and the second building was struck by lightning in 110 CE and again

The Pantheon is a structure that was built as a reflection of the Roman empire’s wealth and power. Back in its time, it served as a temple to all the Roman gods. These gods “included Zeus, a sky-god and the ‘father of gods, sea, earthquakes, and horses’” (Noble, T., Strauss, et al. 58). The gods were believed to “live on Mount Olympus, a 9,500-foot-high peak in northern Greece” and were called Olympians (Noble, T. Strauss, et al. 58). What makes the Pantheon particularly remarkable is that it exists to this day in roughly the same state as it had upon the completion of its construction and dedication to the gods. Since its construction, the Pantheon has inspired numerous other buildings across the world and has served as a staple in fascinating architecture.

Built again on the site of a previous temple construction started around 125 AD. Instead of a single temple for a single god it originally housed statues of many different gods before it was re-tasked as a church to honor St Mary and the Martyrs in the 7th century. (Pantheon, Rome, 2016) This building uses the third of the major column styles Corinthian. Slender like the Ionic order column but more elaborately decorated and an interesting ratio multiplier, the overall column height is a multiple of 6 while the column shaft height is a multiple of 5. The Pantheons most impressive feature is the unsupported dome reaching to a height on 142ft from the ground. Using materials that are still not know but suspected to be similar to concrete that we use today it is the largest unsupported dome in the world. In the top of the dome is the oculus, a hole where sunlight can stream into the space bellow and provide natural lighting. On April 21st the light hits a metal grill at midday to illuminate the courtyard in front. April 21st being the founding day of Rome. (10 FACTS ABOUT THE PANTHEON, 2016) Though its many years of use and its remarkable staying power because of its re-use. Many of the original interior features have been changed, and from top to bottom the styles almost clash with the previous layer. However, the importance of the building architecture can still be felt, even as far away as Chicago where interior sections of

Much of Roman culture was derived from the Greek with some slight differences such as their respective gods and goddesses. The Romans had also retained many of the architectural styles that the Greeks practiced and used them in building their own structures such as the famed Pantheon. Unlike the Greek whose purpose for their temples were to honour their city’s patron god, the purpose of the Pantheon is not exactly known aside from the fact that it is a temple. People believe that it was built as a place for the emperor to make appearances that the public could be witness to in order to remind the civilians of their emperor’s power and god-like status (Cartwright, 2013). This theory is consistent with the ideas that we have learned through Roman portraiture styles of their rulers that emulated styles seen in previous portraits in order to “legitimize their authority or align themselves with revered predecessors” (Trentinella, 2003). Also, it is believed that the Pantheon is dedicated to all the planetary gods instead of just one which was how the Greeks preferred. The Pantheon can be split into two parts, the main building is circular and is made of brick and concrete and is more in the style of the Romans compared to the second part which contains the porch and entrance. The porch is very reminiscent of the Classical Greek era and even features

Yet, even as temples, there are differences amid them. The Parthenon was built to honor the goddess, Athena, daughter of Zeus and patron goddess of Athens. The Pantheon was built to in honor of all the Roman gods and goddesses. The Parthenon is an important symbol of Greek cultural. The temple reveals the religious beliefs of Greece at the time. The care and attention paid to the architecture shows how much the Athenians valued Athena. The art in the temple echoes the conquests of Greek culture; a unique symbol of cultural power; a symbol for their greatness throughout the Classical order. The Pantheon in Rome was built at a transitional point in Roman History, when the old stories and beliefs of the ancients had not been abandoned, but Christianity and Mithraism, were beginning taking hold. The Pantheon was first built as a temple for the gods of the seven planets in the Roman state religion, but since the seventh century has been a Christian church. The Pantheon is the most well conserved building in Rome and the oldest building in the world with its original roof intact. Since the Renaissance the Pantheon has been used as a tomb housing the remains of two kings and a queen, Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I, and Vittorio Emanuele's Queen, Margherita among others. The structure is considered a national treasure (Lisa,

The Roman Pantheon is one of the most preserved and influential buildings of ancient Rome. “The original use of the Pantheon is somewhat unknown, except that it was classified as a temple. However, it is unknown as to how the people worshiped in the building because the structure of the temple is so different from other traditional Roman temples. The Pantheon exists today in such amazing form because of the Byzantine emperor Phocas gave it to Pope Boniface the IV in A.D. 608 and it was used as a church ever since. The Pantheon has been in use since the time it was built.”(Roman Pantheon) One of the main purposes of the Roman architecture is to show power and to bring people together and from what has been explained the Pantheon was first used as a temple and the Pantheon means to honor all Gods so you can assume it was used to honor all Gods and then the temple was given to the Pope in A.D. 608 and it was then used as a church and a church is a place to meet and gather people together for a

Even today it is used as a house of worship by the Roman Catholic Church.

At about 120 – 124 the Romans architectural mastery was so great that they could build the circular Pantheon temple, a testament to the majesty of the Roman empire, and a place where the Romans could pray to their gods. The Pantheon dome was created in a way where the concrete for the coffered dome was poured in molds and mounted on temporary scaffolding where the center, known as the oculus, would be open for the public to see the light or night of day, and stand as a testament to the capabilities the Roman architects could

The word pantheon refers to all gods. It is one of the oldest standing structures in Rome and its one of the greatest features of Roman architecture. The reason behind that it was used for several functions throughout history. Nowadays its used as a Catholic church. It’s known for its dome structure. The temple was finished in 125 AD. The actual architect is still not known but it is assigned to the Roman emperor Hadrian.

From the beginning of time, architects and engineers alike have referenced past buildings and structures and used them to influence new buildings and structures through the advancement of time. Many of the new buildings retain styles that were used by their predecessors, while adding slight modifications that the architect may think looks better, or better represents the thoughts of their time. This is standard practice in the field of architecture and has been for many centuries. Sometimes, the styles of one or a few people become timeless as they were so well thought out that they remain applicable to different societies, cultures, and time periods, sometimes for thousands of years. Little did the people in ancient Rome know, the Pantheon would become one of those buildings. It was commissioned and designed during the transition period between BC and AD by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus, and was formally completed by the emperor Hadrian in the year 126 AD. In the end of the 13th century, three men—Arnolfo di Cambio, Filippo Brunelleschi, and Emilio De Fabris—began designing what was originally known as the Il Duomo di Firenze but now referred to as the Florence Cathedral. Their goal was to design a massive basilica that would replace and engulf the original church, complete with a massive dome which could likely not have yet been possible if not for the Pantheon in Rome. As stated before, a lot of the original designs of previous structures are kept, while

The history of the Pantheon project was originally from the emperor Augustus and built by the architect Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. During the reign of the Roman emperor Titus, in approximately 80 A.D, the Pantheon temple was burned down in a fire. Eventually, the third Roman emperor Domitian of the Flavian dynasty rebuilt a new temple there, but this one was also destroyed in a fire in 110 A.D. Around 120 A.D Roman period, King Hadrian rebuilt the third Pantheon in a more modern style and this is the temple we have today. Apollodorus of Damascus, who was an architect designer during that period of time, assisted King Hadrian in rebuilding the best preserved Roman monument, the new Pantheon. The reconstruction of this project started soon after Hadrian became emperor and it was probably completed by 125 A.D. To honor Agrippa, Hadrian left a message over the door written in early Greek. Hadrian mentioned that he was the originally creator who had built the temple.

The Pantheon, whose name derives from the ancient Greek and means “common to all the gods”: Pan means “all”, and Theon means “gods”, is the best preserved building from ancient Rome. Its magnificent dome is a lasting testimony to the genius of Roman architects and as the building stands virtually intact.

All of them were the inspiration of most famous and important architecture examples nowadays. The Colosseum, in Rome was the inspiration of The U.S. capitol building. The dome in the Capitol is supported by wings with columns. Also The Colosseum was reflected in a residential development in W.S. in New York City. The Pantheon, a Roman place for worship and the Catholic capitol St. Peter’s Basilica reflected it by using designs and materials from it. Not only these examples, there is also Trajan’s column in Italy, Rome which was a structure built by a romans and Napoleons column reflected it in France. In addition to The Maison Carree a Roman temple in Nimes was the inspiration of the British museum in England. In the other hand, Arches and Domes took place too; The Washington Square Arch in New York City is inspired by the Roman arches. And Domes nowadays used in sport stadiums and buildings such as Georgia dome in