Roman Pantheon
Locked within Rome`s labyrinthine maze of narrow streets stands one of the most renowned buildings in the history of architecture. Built at the height of the Roman Empire`s power and wealth, the Roman Pantheon has been both lauded and studied for both the immensity of its dome and its celestial geometry for over two millennia. During this time it has been the subject of countless imitations and references as the enduring architectural legacy of one of the world`s most influential epochs.
The Pantheon, which now stands on the Piazza della Rotonda, is in fact the third such structure to occupy the site. The original Pantheon was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, the soninlaw of Emperor Caesar Augustus, and was dedicated in 27BCE. After a fire destroyed much of Agrippa`s original construction in 80AD, Emperor Domitian carried out a reconstruction effort (the exact extent of which remains unknown). However, when a lightning strike burned the Pantheon down yet again in 110, the structure which Emperor Hadrian put in its place was of an entirely new design.
Rome Empire Under Hadrian
Hadrian's reign undoubtedly represents the greatest "golden age" of the Roman Empire. The territory of the empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Caspian Sea inland in the east, including a significant portion of South and Western Europe, North Africa and West Asia, with borders farther than ever. It was also one of the most economically prosperous times in Rome's history, and unprecedented regional stability allowed trade to flow freely through different states. Many cities in the empire have implemented large-scale architectural programs that provide citizens of three continents with public baths, forums, theatres, and circuses. In an era of peace and prosperity, where the whole of Rome seemed to be under harmonious control, it was appropriate for a monument to be erected in the capital to represent this ideal state.
Formally, the Pantheon is impressed with its simplicity. Simply put, it's a large dome-covered drum with a portico entrance at the north-facing entrance. Inside the drum is a single cave space with natural light shining from a 30-foot (9 m) wide eyeball to alternating triangular and rounded altars that surround the space. The interior floors and walls face fine stones from the entire Roman Empire, including various colors of granite and marble. The coffer ceiling is exposed concrete.
This dome was by far the largest in the world and remained in its best condition until 1436, 13th century later, when Brunelleschi's incredible engineering was built in Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence. ..
Rome Pantheon
What made this seemingly simple geometry possible was the ingenious structural system, the culmination of decades of progress in Roman engineering. Rotunda's 6-meter (20-foot) thick wall looks monolithic from the outside, but hides a carefully planned network of voids and arches and acts as eight piers to support the weight of the dome above. increase. The dome itself was made possible by the material innovation of Roman concrete. During the reign of Hadrian's predecessor (and his adoptive father) Trajan, the concrete vaults had a major impact on many structures and provided a theoretical framework for the construction of the Pantheon's dome. In contrast to the walls, the structural solution is clearly visible here. While the five-row vault looks beautiful, it reduces the weight of the dome between the supports and limits the stress on the arches hidden in the walls of the circular building.
The carefully considered circular architectural plan is an ironic contrast to the relatively inconsistent portico entrance. The pediment does not connect directly to the circular building, but to a rectangular transition block with the contour of the pediment at a height higher than the top of the portico. Due to this apparent inconsistency, over the centuries several architects hypothesized that the portico entrance and the circular building were built at different times by different emperors. However, if you look at the brick foundations and stamps used in the structure, you can see that the entire Pantheon is built as a consistent project.
Rome Pantheon
Rome Pantheon Interior
The mismatch of the portico and rotunda is obviously the end result of logistical problems in obtaining stone at the scale certain through the Pantheon`s builders. A pediment at the peak implied through the define at the transitional block might require taller, thicker columns than the ones used withinside the temple as it's miles built; however, in contrast to the ones smaller columns, the hypothetical unique layout might conform smartly to the hooked up proportions utilized in spiritual Roman architecture. The cornice line of the roof might additionally hook up with the center cornice line encircling the rotunda, while the prevailing roof does now no longer appear to narrate to any a part of the structure. Despite the sheer economic electricity of Hadrian`s empire, however, good enough fabric couldn't be quarried for each the Pantheon and the simultaneously-built Trajan`s Temple, and the previous turned into subjected to a clumsy compromise on the way to expedite production of the latter.
Rome Pantheon
Portico's unfavorable proportions could not reduce the impact (or importance) of the vast space surrounded by circular architecture. The diameter inside the rotunda is almost exactly its height: 43.4 meters (142.4 feet). Combined with the hemispherical volume represented by the dome, space means a perfect sphere.
The impact of this geometry on the universe is clear. The sphere was an analogy of the sky, all surrounded by the concrete walls of the Pantheon. At the highest point in the sky (in this case, the eyeball), the sun shined and shed light on various statues of the planetary gods that occupied the niche of the wall all day long. This iconic design honored the gods and heaven, but it was the Roman Empire itself that truly glorified. Embodied and surrounded by the Pantheon, the universe represents the empire, its diverse lands, and the people united by the heavenly authority and perfection of Rome. The name may mean religious dedication, but the Pantheon was truly a testament to the power and glory of a secular government.
As a symbol of the empire, Pantheon endured a series of humiliations as Rome began to slowly decline over the centuries that followed. At the beginning of the 7th century, Emperor Constantia's II of the Byzantine Empire visited Rome and officially presented the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV for use as a church. But before doing so, he brought the golden bronze tiles that once covered the roof of the dome for his own use. The Pantheon, now known as the Church of St. Mary the Martyrs, has its golden roof replaced with one of lead. Two centuries later, Pope Urban VIII found the roof of Bernini's altar in Castel Sant'Angelo and Castel Sant'Angelo (the fortified Roman dwelling pope of Castel Sant'Angelo). As a comforting gesture, Urban added two bell towers above the portico entrance. However, these towers were generally considered ugly and out of place and were removed in the 19th century.
Rome Pantheon
Perhaps thanks to its conversion as a church, the Pantheon is one of the best-preserved monuments in ancient Rome. Its famous dome is the world's largest dome made of reinforced concrete, and its design is almost the same as during Hadrian's reign, despite the addition of Christian altars and frescoes. Its shape has inspired the entire canonical building since the Renaissance, including the Pantheon in Paris, the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, the University of Virginia Library, and the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Between the architectural heritage and its own permanence, the Pantheon stands as a lasting proof of the faded glory of the Roman Empire-a monument as eternal as the city in which it stands.
Rome Pantheon Interior
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