THE PANTHEON IN ROMETHE PANTHEON IN ROME

IntroductionIntroduction

What similarities can What similarities can you see to other you see to other temples studied?temples studied?What differences can What differences can you see? you see?

THE HISTORY OF THE PANTHEONTHE HISTORY OF THE PANTHEONThe original Pantheon was built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC but burnt to the ground in 80 AD.

It was then restored by Domitian only to burn down again in Trajan’s

reign.

Between AD118-25 Hadrian completely rebuilt the Pantheon

from the foundations up.

Hadrian: Emperor 117-38 Hadrian: Emperor 117-38 ADAD

WHAT WAS THE PANTHEON ?WHAT WAS THE PANTHEON ?

It may have been a temple that was dedicated to many, or all, of the gods.

OR the seven interior niches were occupied by statues of the planetary gods: Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Venus, Mars, the Sun and the Moon.

OR EVEN the dome may have symbolised the heavens and thus had religious significance.

Original SettingOriginal Setting

Temple originally faced onto a paved piazza.Temple originally faced onto a paved piazza. Was surrounded on three sides by a portico.Was surrounded on three sides by a portico. Portico masked the awkward combination of Portico masked the awkward combination of

rectangular entrance porch and round rotunda rectangular entrance porch and round rotunda since it hid the rotunda walls from view.since it hid the rotunda walls from view.

Combination of colonnaded portico and Combination of colonnaded portico and entrance porch with entablature and entrance porch with entablature and pediment was deliberate reference to classical pediment was deliberate reference to classical Greek architecture which Hadrian much Greek architecture which Hadrian much admired.admired.

Reconstruction of original Reconstruction of original sanctuarysanctuary

THE PANTHEON MAY BE BROKEN DOWN THE PANTHEON MAY BE BROKEN DOWN INTO THREE DISTINCT PARTS INTO THREE DISTINCT PARTS

Note the three different sections on your Note the three different sections on your handout handout

1.1. ENTRANCE ENTRANCE PORCHPORCH

2.2. VESTIBULEVESTIBULE

3.3. ROTUNDAROTUNDA

THE ENTRANCE PORCHTHE ENTRANCE PORCH The octastyle (8 columned) porch retains the

traditional deep columned approach of Roman temples.

Was approached by steps at front (North), now at street level.

16 un-fluted Corinthian columns in total. Each column is 12.5m high and 1.48m thick. Originally all columns were made from grey

Egyptian granite, but 3 of the flanking columns were replaced with Egyptian red granite in 17th Century.

The Corinthian capitals were carved from Parian marble (from Greek island of Paros).

Entablature also made from Parian marble. Pediment was originally filled with sculpture,

possibly an eagle.

The front row had eightfront row had eight granite columns with marble Corinthian capitals.

Behind are two more rows two more rows of four of four columnscolumns. This creates three aisles with only one leading to the central doorway.

The side aislesside aisles lead to large niches which held statues of Augustus and Agrippa.

The central doorscentral doors are bronze. Doors were originally gilded.

THE VESTIBULETHE VESTIBULE The vestibule solved the problem of how to The vestibule solved the problem of how to

join the porch to the rotunda. join the porch to the rotunda.

It was structurally It was structurally important because important because it acted as a buttress it acted as a buttress (support) for the (support) for the rotunda. rotunda.

Behind both niches are rooms that contain Behind both niches are rooms that contain staircases used to gain access to the upper staircases used to gain access to the upper levels of the building.levels of the building.

THE VESTIBULETHE VESTIBULE The top of the vestibule is visible as the The top of the vestibule is visible as the

rectangular wall that abuts the front face of the rectangular wall that abuts the front face of the rotunda. rotunda.

A false triangular pediment is visible on the front.A false triangular pediment is visible on the front. Some think this was meant to be the height of the Some think this was meant to be the height of the

entrance porch originally. entrance porch originally.

VestibuleVestibule

‘‘False’ False’ pedimentpediment

THE ROTUNDA - CONSTRUCTION THE ROTUNDA - CONSTRUCTION

44m high and about 44m high and about 56m diameter.56m diameter.

Very deep foundations: Very deep foundations: 4.5m deep and 4.5m deep and about 7m thick. about 7m thick.

The rotunda walls are The rotunda walls are 6m thick and help 6m thick and help support the dome. support the dome.

Windows above the Windows above the second cornice let light second cornice let light into a passage way into a passage way within the wall at this within the wall at this level.level.

ROTUNDA CONSTRUCTIONROTUNDA CONSTRUCTION Rotunda walls are made of brick-faced concrete.Rotunda walls are made of brick-faced concrete. Builders adjusted the materials, called aggregate, used in Builders adjusted the materials, called aggregate, used in

the making of the concrete: Lower parts are made of heavier the making of the concrete: Lower parts are made of heavier matter; progressively lighter materials are used as the matter; progressively lighter materials are used as the building rose.building rose.

Foundation: concrete contained heavy travertineFoundation: concrete contained heavy travertine Lower level of walls: mixture of travertine and the lighter Lower level of walls: mixture of travertine and the lighter

tufa tufa Then tufa and brick as the walls roseThen tufa and brick as the walls rose Then brick at higher level, and finally pumice (in the dome)Then brick at higher level, and finally pumice (in the dome) Lower level (up to first cornice) originally faced with Pentellic Lower level (up to first cornice) originally faced with Pentellic

marble (from Greece) marble (from Greece) Upper levels were covered in stucco and painted white to Upper levels were covered in stucco and painted white to

match the lower level.match the lower level.

ROTUNDA BUILDING MATERIALROTUNDA BUILDING MATERIAL

Image source: http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.co.nz/2010/09/light-and-pantheon.htmlImage source: http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.co.nz/2010/09/light-and-pantheon.html

ROTUNDA CONSTRUCTIONROTUNDA CONSTRUCTION

Relieving arches were used to distribute weight down into EIGHT piers.

ROTUNDA CONSTRUCTIONROTUNDA CONSTRUCTION

Arches were used Arches were used extensively in the extensively in the construction of the construction of the rotunda to distribute rotunda to distribute weight.weight.

The diagram shows The diagram shows arches spanning the arches spanning the interior alcoves to interior alcoves to provide structural provide structural integrity.integrity.

ROTUNDA EXTERIOR - REARROTUNDA EXTERIOR - REAR

The back of the The back of the rotunda was rotunda was supported by supported by buttressing walls. buttressing walls.

They made have They made have been part of the been part of the nearby Basilica nearby Basilica of Neptune.of Neptune.

THE CORNICESTHE CORNICESThe exterior wall The exterior wall rises in three rises in three levels, each levels, each marked by a marked by a projecting cornice:projecting cornice:

8.5m for the third,8.5m for the third,

9m for the second,9m for the second,

13m for the first. 13m for the first.

These cornices all correspond to certain These cornices all correspond to certain levels levels

within the interior of the rotunda:within the interior of the rotunda: FIRST CORNICEFIRST CORNICE is aligned with the architrave is aligned with the architrave

over the ground-floor columns.over the ground-floor columns. SECOND CORNICESECOND CORNICE is on a level with the rows is on a level with the rows

of panels and niches.of panels and niches. THE THIRD THE THIRD

CORNICE CORNICE corresponds to corresponds to the the second second level of coffers level of coffers in the in the ceiling.ceiling.

THE DOME – CONSTRUCTIONTHE DOME – CONSTRUCTION This was not the first dome built by the Romans but its This was not the first dome built by the Romans but its

size was unique.size was unique. IT WEIGHS 4500 METRIC TONSIT WEIGHS 4500 METRIC TONS It is a rotated arch and therefore requires no keystone as It is a rotated arch and therefore requires no keystone as

it is self-supporting.it is self-supporting. Originally a concrete core faced with bricks.Originally a concrete core faced with bricks. Concrete was made progressively thinner towards top to Concrete was made progressively thinner towards top to

reduce weight (from 6.4m at base of dome to 1.2m at reduce weight (from 6.4m at base of dome to 1.2m at Oculus)Oculus)

Lighter weight materials were used in the dome as it got Lighter weight materials were used in the dome as it got near to top; tufa and brick were replaced with pumice and near to top; tufa and brick were replaced with pumice and brick. brick.

Later covered with concrete and crushed brick making it Later covered with concrete and crushed brick making it impermeable. impermeable.

Finally it was covered in bronze tiles (current lead roof is a Finally it was covered in bronze tiles (current lead roof is a restoration).restoration).

It remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.It remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

THE INTERIORTHE INTERIOR

THE INTERIOR THE INTERIOR

PARTS OF THE INTERIORPARTS OF THE INTERIOR The entrance, The entrance, Seven alcoves (alternately semi-Seven alcoves (alternately semi-

circular and trapezoidal), circular and trapezoidal), The alcoves may have housed The alcoves may have housed

statues of the different deities.statues of the different deities. Corinthian pilasters frame each Corinthian pilasters frame each

alcove, and two Corinthian columns alcove, and two Corinthian columns in antis fronted each alcove. in antis fronted each alcove.

Eight projecting pedimented Eight projecting pedimented niches, which also cut slightly into niches, which also cut slightly into the wall. the wall.

Small semi-circular voids within the Small semi-circular voids within the wall were left behind the eight wall were left behind the eight niches (to help with drying the niches (to help with drying the mass of concrete used in the wall?). mass of concrete used in the wall?). It also helps to reduce the weight . It also helps to reduce the weight .

The interior The interior columns and columns and pilasters (square pilasters (square columns) helped columns) helped support the weight support the weight of the dome. of the dome.

The second level of The second level of the interior consists the interior consists of a row of of a row of rectangular niches rectangular niches and panels of and panels of marble.marble.

INTERIORINTERIOR ‘‘The interior space of the Pantheon is a lesson in The interior space of the Pantheon is a lesson in

mathematical and structural precision.’ Campbell, p85mathematical and structural precision.’ Campbell, p85 The height from the floor to the top of the dome is The height from the floor to the top of the dome is

exactly the same as the diameter of the drum exactly the same as the diameter of the drum (43.2m/141feet 8 inches)(43.2m/141feet 8 inches)

THE OCULUS AND CEILINGTHE OCULUS AND CEILING The ceiling is coffered with The ceiling is coffered with

five rows of recessed coffers five rows of recessed coffers which also decrease in size which also decrease in size as it approaches the oculus as it approaches the oculus (opening at top). (opening at top).

The coffers help reduce the The coffers help reduce the weight of the dome.weight of the dome.

The coffers had gilded The coffers had gilded rosettes to represent stars rosettes to represent stars set on a blue background.set on a blue background.

The oculus was 9m in The oculus was 9m in diameter and helps lighten diameter and helps lighten the weight of the dome.the weight of the dome.

It was the main source of It was the main source of light.light.

The five bands of The five bands of coffers in the oculus coffers in the oculus taper as they go up.taper as they go up.

This creates an This creates an impression of distance impression of distance and draws the viewers and draws the viewers eye to the oculus. eye to the oculus.

The ceiling of the The ceiling of the dome was possibly dome was possibly meant to represent meant to represent the heavensthe heavens

THE OCULUSTHE OCULUS

THE FLOORTHE FLOOR There was a geometric decoration on the There was a geometric decoration on the

floor with its coloured marble circles and floor with its coloured marble circles and squares.squares.

Rain that came in Rain that came in through the oculus through the oculus was drained was drained off off via small holes in via small holes in the centre of the the centre of the marble floor. marble floor.

Pantheon – By the numbersPantheon – By the numbersUse the numbers below to revise aspects of the Pantheon. Add in Use the numbers below to revise aspects of the Pantheon. Add in other numbers that you can identify as representative of specific other numbers that you can identify as representative of specific

features.features.

AD118-125AD118-125 141feet/43m141feet/43m 8 (columns)8 (columns) 16 (columns)16 (columns) 7 (interior aspect)7 (interior aspect) (list other numbers and (list other numbers and

describe the significance describe the significance of each) of each)

Pantheon Revision - Key TermsPantheon Revision - Key Terms

RotundaRotunda CoffersCoffers Pilaster(s)Pilaster(s) Corinthian columnsCorinthian columns Arches (relieving)Arches (relieving) AlcovesAlcoves PorchPorch OctastyleOctastyle GraniteGranite ConcreteConcrete HadrianHadrian

OculusOculus BrickBrick TufaTufa TravertineTravertine PumicePumice ButtressingButtressing DomeDome PantheonPantheon Marcus AgrippaMarcus Agrippa

Question 1Question 1 One significant issue faced in the construction of the One significant issue faced in the construction of the

Pantheon was weight. Pantheon was weight. Research and write a response that analyses in detail Research and write a response that analyses in detail

with supporting evidence how the issue of weight was with supporting evidence how the issue of weight was addressed in the construction of the Pantheon.addressed in the construction of the Pantheon.

In your research and response you should focus on In your research and response you should focus on the following aspects:the following aspects:

FoundationFoundation Rotunda wallsRotunda walls Dome (both interior and exterior aspectsDome (both interior and exterior aspects Supports Supports

Question 2Question 2

““The interior of the Pantheon is one of The interior of the Pantheon is one of ‘man’s rare masterpieces” (M Wheeler)‘man’s rare masterpieces” (M Wheeler)

Analyse in detail with supporting Analyse in detail with supporting evidence features that make the evidence features that make the interior of the Pantheon aesthetically interior of the Pantheon aesthetically pleasing.pleasing.

You should make FIVE points in your You should make FIVE points in your response.response.

Question 3Question 3Comparative questionComparative question

Many Roman temples were impressive from Many Roman temples were impressive from the outside, but it was the interior that the outside, but it was the interior that created the most impact on the viewer. created the most impact on the viewer.

Analyse this idea in detail with reference to Analyse this idea in detail with reference to both the both the Temple of Bacchus at BaalbekTemple of Bacchus at Baalbek and and the the PantheonPantheon in Rome. You must analyse in in Rome. You must analyse in detail with supporting evidence features of detail with supporting evidence features of both the exterior and interior of both temples both the exterior and interior of both temples and how they may have impressed a viewer.and how they may have impressed a viewer.