Who built this temple and when?
The original Pantheon was built by
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] in 27BC. This temple was burned down in AD80,
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] by Domitian, but burned again in
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] 's reign.
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] undertook a complete restoration of the building from its very
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] c. 126 A.D., and it is his temple that is preserved now, as its brick-stamps testify
What is the significance of the inscription on the front of the portico?
* Hadrian set up on the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] of the porch a self-effacing inscription honouring
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] as the builder
To which god/goddess was it dedicated? What is the evidence for this?
The building is identified as the Pantheon by an inscription beneath this one, on the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] , which relates to a restoration undertaken by Septimius Severus in AD202.
* this name, Pantheon, has various interpretations
* the temple may have been
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] to all, or many of, the gods
* a modern view is that the seven interior
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] were occupied by statues of the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] gods; (in alphabetical order)
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] ,
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] ,
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] ,
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] ,
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] , plus the Sun, the Moon
* an ancient interpretation that the dome symbolised the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] and thus had religious significance in itself has gained modern support as well
What are the elements of the building?
The building as erected by Hadrian, has
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] elements:
(i) a
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] at the back, which was built
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] , is the focal point of the whole design
(ii) a
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] on the north side, and (iii) an entrance
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] What are the dimensions of the rear structure? What materials were used?
* 44m in
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] and about 56m in external
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] , it rests on suitably impressive concrete foundations 4.5m
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] and about 7m
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] * the circular wall is of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] -faced concrete
* originally stuccoed on the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] * rises in three levels, each marked by a projecting
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] * about
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] m to the first cornice,
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] m to the second and a further
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] m to the third
* the back of the rotunda was buttressed by a
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] of the nearby Basilica of Neptune
How is light admitted to the interior?
*
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] above the second cornice let light into a passageway within the wall at this level
* the 9m wide
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] 'eye' of the dome
What was the significance of the projecting cornices?
* these cornices correspond to certain
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] s within the rotunda
* first is aligned with the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] over the ground-floor columns
* second is on a level with the rows of panels and
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] , where the dome appears to begin
* third corresponds to the second level of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] in the ceiling and is the true point from which the dome springs
Describe the construction of the dome.
* the dome, stepped on the outside for about
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] its height, was faced with bricks over the concrete core, and then made impermeable with a covering of crushed
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] (opus signinum), and finally roofed with bronze
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] ; the present
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] roof is a later restoration.
Describe the interior walls.
Inside, the entrance and
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] alcoves, alternately semi-circular and trapezoidal, and screened by
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] columns, are cut into the encircling wall. Between them are
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] projecting pedimented niches, which also cut slightly into the wall
* small semi
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] voids within the wall itself were left behind these eight niches
* it has been suggested that they were introduced to help in the drying of the great mass of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] in the wall
Why were arches built into the walls?
With so many weight reducing spaces in the wall, a large number of relieving
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] was necessary to concentrate the remaining weight on stable features like the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] and
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] of the ground floor
* such arches may be seen, made of brick, on the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] of the wall at the top of the third level. The second level on the interior consists of a row of rectangular niches and panels of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] veneer, before the later enlargement of the niches and panels, and the addition of pediments.
How is the weight of the ceiling reduced?
As it rose, the dome was made up of a progressively lighter and thinner layer of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] to reduce its
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] * the ceiling is decorated with
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] rows of recessed coffers which decrease in size as they approach the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] of the dome
* they are essentially
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] features whose recesses have an additional advantage of catching the light through the 9m wide
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] 'eye' of the dome
Why is there no flooding when it rains?
* rain that poured through the eye was drained off through small holes in the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] of the marble floor
What sort of visual impression does the interior give?
Most writers have commented on the visual impact of the interior of the Pantheon. Much of this comes from
* the unimpeded view the spectator has up to the ceiling and out to the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] * the subtle
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] in the surface of the encircling wall with its screened niches
* the wealth of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] veneering on the floor and the wall
Describe the entrance to the temple.
The porch itself is imposing, slightly
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] er than it is
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] (13m : 12m), and 33.5m wide
* a front row of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] columns of granite with marble
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] capitals screens
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] further rows each of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] columns (three are not original)
*
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] aisles are thus created
* one leads to the central
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] * the others lead to large niches which held statues of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] and
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] * the paving is of granite and marble, the doors were of
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] , and the
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] originally had gilded bronze tiles (the present roof is a 17th century restoration)
Overall the porch maintained the wealth of decoration that marks the interior, but retained the traditional deep, columned approach of earlier Roman
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] . The visitor in antiquity would probably have been far less aware of the disunity of form between the rotunda and the porch since most of the rotunda was obscured by the wide
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] and surrounding structures, and the temple was approached mainly from a long
13 8.5 9 Agrippa arches architrave Augustus brick bronze centre circular coffers columns concrete Corinthian cornice court decorative dedicated deep diameter doorway eight exterior first five foundations four frieze Hadrian half heavens height high Jupiter lead level marble Mars Mercury movement niches oculus pilasters planetary porch restored roof rotunda Saturn seven sky temples thick three tiles Trajan two Venus vestibule wall weight windows [?] yard in front of it.