THE PANTHEON 128 AD Rome, italy \
Sketch: Exterior
Sketch: Interior
HISTORY PAN – all, THEON – of the gods 27 AD – General Marcus Agrippa Son-in-law of Emperor Augustus Rectangular structure in center of the city 80 AD – damaged by fire 80 AD – rebuilt under Emperor Domitian 110 AD – struck by lightning and burned down
HISTORY 118 – 128 AD – rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian Rotunda walls, dome each took 4-5 years “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, in his third consulate, made it.” 609 AD – Given to Popes by Emperor Phocas
FORM Corinthian columns Rotunda (round room with dome) 60 tons each Dragged, floated, and rolled all the way from Egypt Rotunda (round room with dome) Still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome Perfect sphere (the height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 meters) Sources of light – oculus and entry door Concrete Lighter concrete on upper levels reduces weight Hidden chambers within the rotunda form a honeycomb structure – also reduces weight
FORM
FORM
FUNCTION Created in honor of Emperor Augustus Religious temple Worship Sacrifices 7 Roman gods Sun, Moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars 7 niches in wall where the statues were placed Converted to Catholic Church in 609 AD Took excellent care of the building -- one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings
FUNCTION Renaissance Today Tomb for people in the arts Used as a Catholic Church Holds mass daily Tourist attraction
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE Similar to Greeks: Portico (rectangular porch with columns) Pantheon Parthenon
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE Similar to Greeks: Corinthian Columns Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens) Pantheon
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE Similar to Greeks: Decorated frieze and pediment Parthenon Temple of Hephaestus (Athens) Pantheon
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE Similar to Greeks: Symmetric balance on both sides Parthenon Pantheon
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE New Innovations: Based on a circle giving it the dome shape
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE New Innovations: Varying weight of concrete allowed vaulted domed roof
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE New Innovations: Focus on interior space
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE New Innovations: Oculus in the ceiling Coffers
Legacy Highly influential building, particularly the dome/rotunda
Le Pantheon in Paris
Monticello, Virginia
St. Peter’s, The Vatican (Rome)
Il Duomo, Florence
Khan Academy video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaY8zqYfQI0