Pantheon, Rome

The Pantheon is an ancient temple in Rome, Italy, from the 2nd century. It was built as a place to honor all the gods of Ancient Rome. Today, it is a Catholic church named the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs. The building is round with a large dome made of concrete. It is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the world.

The Pantheon was first built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa when Augustus was ruler. The building we see today was built by the emperor Hadrian around AD 126. The dome of the Pantheon is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, and many architects have been inspired by its design.

The Pantheon has been used for over 1,800 years, so it is still in great shape. It is looked after by Italy's Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism. Every year, millions of visitors come to see the Pantheon's beautiful architecture and learn about ancient Roman history.

Etymology

The name "Pantheon" comes from the Ancient Greek word "Pantheion" (Πάνθειον), meaning "of, relating to, or common to all the gods". People think the Pantheon was a place to worship all the gods, but we are not completely sure. Some believe the name came from the many statues of gods inside, or because the round shape of the building looks like the sky. Today, the word "pantheon" can also mean a place that honors important people who have died.

History

After the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa built many places in Rome. One of these was the Pantheon. It was built between 29 and 19 BC in an area called the Campus Martius. At first, it may have been a private space, not a public temple.

For a long time, people thought Agrippa built the Pantheon we see today. But we now know the current building was likely started around 114 AD under Emperor Trajan. An earlier version was destroyed by fire. The shape and design of Agrippa’s original Pantheon are not fully known. It was changed and rebuilt many times.

In 609 AD, the building became a Christian church by Pope Boniface IV. It was dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs. This helped save it from being destroyed later. Over the years, many important people have been buried there. Today, the Pantheon is still an active Catholic church and a famous landmark in Rome. Visitors are asked to respect its sacred space.

Structure

The Pantheon in Rome is an ancient temple built more than 1,900 years ago. It was later changed into a church and is still standing today. The building has a big round room with a dome ceiling, showing impressive ancient Roman building skills.

The front of the Pantheon has a porch with tall columns leading to the main door. Inside, the round room has a high dome with a hole at the top called the oculus. This hole lets in light and air, and rain that falls through it flows out through special channels in the floor. The space inside feels big and open, with patterns on the floor and ceiling that draw your eyes upward.

Catholic additions

The Pantheon in Rome has been a Catholic church since the year 609. In the early 1700s, Pope Clement XI asked the architect Alessandro Specchi to design a new high altar and apses. Above the altar is a very old painting of the Virgin and Child. It was a gift from a leader named Phocas.

Many beautiful artworks were added over the years. There are paintings and statues in special areas called niches and chapels. Some of these show holy moments, like the Annunciation, where an angel tells Mary she will have a baby. Other artworks show saints and important people from history.

Two kings from Italy, Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I, are buried in the Pantheon. Their tombs have statues and special designs. There is also a tomb for the famous artist Raphael, who created many wonderful paintings. His tomb has a special inscription and a statue called the Madonna of the Rock.

Cardinal deaconry

The Pantheon became a special place for important church leaders in 1725. In 1929, its special status changed to another church role.

Many leaders served here, including Alessandro Albani, Prospero Colonna di Sciarra, Domenico Orsini d'Aragona, Ignazio Boncompagni-Ludovisi, Antonio Doria Pamphili, Romoaldo Braschi-Onesti, Ercole Consalvi, Agostino Rivarola, Vincenzo Santucci, Gaspare Grassellini, Carmine Gori-Merosi, Luigi Pallotti, and Felice Cavagnis.

Influence on architecture

The Pantheon is famous for its huge dome. It has inspired many buildings for hundreds of years. Architects began copying it during the Renaissance period. One early example is the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, finished in 1436.

Many important buildings around the world use its style. These include churches, government buildings, and schools.

Buildings such as St. Hedwig's Cathedral in Berlin and the Rotunda of Mosta in Malta show its influence. In the United States, Thomas Jefferson used the Pantheon's design for buildings at the University of Virginia. Other examples include the Low Memorial Library at Columbia University and pavilions in parks like Frogner Park in Oslo.