PantheonPantheon, Rome

First created. 6 Sep 2010. Version 2.0. 28.3.12. London. Jerry Tse

A Roman Masterpiece

It was built in 118-125 AD, nearly 2000 years ago. The poet Shelley called it “The

unmeasured dome of Heaven.”

All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.

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Roman Empire

During the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), the Roman Empire stretched all the way from Scotland to the Persian Gulf. All the lands bordering the Mediterranean sea were part of the Roman Empire.

During his time the empire was relatively at peace with its neighbouring tribes. The only formidable enemy was the Parthian Empire, in now Iran, on the Eastern frontier.

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The Arch

The Roman invented concrete which was forgotten after the collapse of the empire. Together with bricks, these were commonly used in construction.

The Roman also used arches extensively. Many of its buildings used curves in their construction. The Coliseum and the Pantheon are two well-known examples.

Rubble Wall

Arch

Central heating

Concrete vault

Coffered vaultRoman constructions

Roman Interior

The Pantheon was built as a temple, just outside Rome.

The Roman Pantheon

On the original building the dome was with sheets of bronze giving it a shinny golden surface. The lower part of the external wall were covered with marbles. It also had a bronze door.

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Roman Pantheon

History of the Pantheon. Panini 18C

It the 609 AD the building was transform into a church, dedicated to Santa Maria dei Martyri, after the bones of Christian martyrs were bought here from the catacombs.

Pantheon - History

In 27-25 BC, it was the site used by Agrippa, who wanted to dedicate it to Augustus Caesar, his father-in-law. When Augustus declined the honour, it was dedicated to the major gods (Mars, Venus etc.) It was rectangular in shape.

The current building was rebuilt between 118 and 125 AD, during the reign of Hadrian.

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Pantheon – A milestone in the history of Architecture.

Pantheon – The Approach

Pantheon – The external brick wall

Satellite map

Pantheon

Plaza Navona

Pantheon – The Portico

Top View

The main components of the building – the portico, the rotunda and the dome.

Pantheon – A brilliant composition of

geometric forms.

Architecture elements

The ceiling is an unreinforced concrete dome resting on a thick circular wall or rotunda. The circular opening at the top of the dome is called the Oculus, providing light and ventilation.

The Pantheon has a coffered dome. This reduces the material used for construction and therefore the weight of the ceiling.

From the diagram above you can also see the cross-section of the roof get thinner as the dome gets higher.

Method of Construction

Very light stone called pumice, which float on water, were used as the raw material with the concrete. It further reduce the weight of the dome.

Coffers dome

Oculus

Buttressing

Piers

7 recesses for 7 gods

Pier, support for span

Portico

Portico

Rotunda

EntranceThe giant doorway

Pantheon – The concrete ceiling

Ceiling

The diameter of the dome is 43.3 meters (142 ft). It remained the largest dome in the world for more than a millennium and is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. There are 5 rows of coffers, to reduce the weight of the dome, around the ceiling.

The Oculus – only source of light

Image Raphael

Tomb

The statue of St Rasius.

The bust of Sanzio Raphael, at his grave.

Raphael, the painter buries here. There is a small black statue of him on the wall marking his grave.

Raphael’s tomb

InteriorPantheon – Seven niches for seven gods.

Rotanda Interior

This is the best preserved building of ancient Rome.

Pantheon – The oldest building in the world, still

in use today.

The main altar

High Altar

Pantheon – The high altar

The ceiling over the main altar

Pantheon – The high altar

The tomb of the first king of Italy

Pantheon – The entrance

Pantheon – The ceiling of the portico

Pantheon – The portico

Pantheon – The side of the portico

Exterior at NightPantheon – at night

Fountain Image

End

The End

Music - Albinoni’s oboe concerto in C Major, op 9 no 57 - 1st movement. AllegroAll rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available

free for non-commercial and personal use.