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Roman Pantheon Research Paper

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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 …show more content…

From ahead the porch with its Greek style design melds perfectly with its other Roman counterpart the rotunda. The 8 red and gray marble forward facing Corinthian style columns (16 in total) create beautiful leading lines that brings your eye directly to the inscription reading “M. AGRIPPA L.F. COS TERTIUM FECIT” on the porch facade for whom the Pantheon was dedicated to (Cartwright). Somewhat blocked by the porch lies the connecting structure and the massive rotunda. When looking at the exterior of the Pantheon in its entirety you can break its components down into basic shapes. The connecting structure and porch of the Pantheon both have a rectangular shape in opposition with that of the cylindrical drum and circular dome. The meticulous planning of the combination of Greek and Roman Style with variation in precisely placed shapes creates a very interesting and complex symmetrical balance. Observing the exterior more closely the punctilious details within the main components complete the entire composition of The Pantheon. The variety within the gray toned walls with the chiseled out borders contrast well with the bronze covered dome bringing a unique unity to the entire exterior …show more content…

It amazes me how the Roman's created such a beautiful building in there time period without all of the technological advances that we have today. In my research I came upon an article that said some historians believe that the Pantheon represented a specific type of sundial called a “hemicyclium”, not in a technical aspect to be used as a instrument to tell time but in order to symbolize that of the sundial (Hannah, Giulio). The meanings and feelings portrayed within the building and the engineering task they had to overcome simply amazes me. I can only imagine the beauty in which it has been described back when it was first built and how proud the Roman's must have been to call such a miraculous construction there own. Not only is the building itself beautiful but how almost every aspect within it has meaning makes the name its given well deserved. I wish that today we still put the same time, effort and meaning into the architecture that is created in the present instead of just building what ever is the cheapest and fastest. To me the Pantheon shows significance, you don't have to research it in order to see the hard work that was put into it or the feelings it can convey by just looking at a picture. In fact that is why I choose it, not even knowing all of the spectacular things I've come to find out but by simply looking at a Photograph. One day I hope to actually see

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