The Pantheon Rome: History and Architecture

The Pantheon in Rome

The building holds significant interest, particularly its internal aspect.

Time Period

Art of the High Roman Empire (118-128 AD)

The Pantheon is a religious building dedicated to honoring all the gods, intended for the glorification of the gens Julia and to project the prestige of imperial power.

As indicated by the inscription on the frieze of the portico, the building is attributed to Marcus Agrippa, a friend and general of Emperor Augustus. However, it is now known that Agrippa's original temple was rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian.

The first temple was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa and built between 27-25 BC. Its construction was entrusted to Lucius Cocceius Auctus. It was built between the Basilica of Neptune and the Saepta Julia.

Under Hadrian, the building was completely renovated. His name does not appear on the inscription, reportedly due to the emperor's reluctance to have his name placed on works carried out under his mandate.

Architectural Style

Classical Roman [High Empire]

It was built primarily with concrete and brick. These building materials were then coated with the finest finishes. The portico features 16 monolithic columns: grey granite for the facade and pink granite inside, topped with white marble capitals.

Function

The Pantheon is a religious building dedicated to honoring all the gods. Its design also carries symbolic meaning: the central dome symbolizes the vault of heaven, and the central oculus represents the sun, and by extension, the Roman Empire and Rome.

Architectural Features

The construction of the hemispherical dome highlights that the line of external fascias is positioned higher than the internal constructive level. This results in a lowered hemispherical dome externally, although from inside the building, it appears as a genuine hemispherical dome.

The building offers great flexibility.

The circular cella is remarkable for its size and the perfect harmony emanating from the rhythm of alternating full and empty spaces. The inner wall features six niches with architraves, each flanked by two columns between pilasters. In the center, a chapel with a semicircular arch interrupts the architrave running around the interior of the cella.

The attic, located between the entablature and the start of the dome, was refurbished during the Renaissance. Only a single Roman element remains.

The interior decor features coffers of decreasing size towards the center. At the apex of the dome is a circular opening, or oculus.

The central dome symbolizes the sky. The coffers (caissons) are arranged in 28 rows, possibly corresponding to the days of lunar months. The oculus symbolizes the sun, and by extension, the Roman Empire and Rome.

The floor is decorated with marble slabs forming squares and circles.