Pantheon, Rome

The oldest building in continue use for 2000 years

First created 6 Sep 2010. Version 3.0 - 26 Jun 2015. Jerry Tse. London. All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners.

Available free for non-commercial, Educational and personal use.

PantheonPantheon, Rome

It was built in 118-125 AD, nearly 2000 years ago. The poet Shelley called it “The

unmeasured dome of Heaven.”

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Roman Empire

During the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), the Roman Empire stretched all the way from Scotland to the Persian Gulf, plus all the lands bordering the Mediterranean sea.

During his time the empire was relatively at peace with its neighbouring tribes. The only formidable enemy was the Parthian Empire, in now Iran, on the Eastern frontier.

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The Arch

The Roman invented concrete which was forgotten after the collapse of the empire. Bricks were commonly used in construction.

The Roman also used arches extensively. Many of its buildings used curves in their construction. The Coliseum and the Pantheon are two well-known examples.

Rubble Wall

Arch

Central heating

Concrete vault

Coffered vaultRoman constructions

Roman Interior

The Pantheon was built as a temple, just outside Rome.

The Roman Pantheon

On the original building, the dome was covered with sheets of bronze giving it a shinny golden surface. The lower part of the external wall were covered with marbles. It also had a bronze door.

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The cross section of the building.

Roman Pantheon

History of the Pantheon. Panini 18C

It the 609 AD the building was transform into a church, dedicated to Santa Maria dei Martyri, after the bones of Christian martyrs were bought here from the catacombs.

Pantheon - History

In the reign of Augustus Caesar, the site was dedicated to the major gods (Mars, Venus etc.). The building was rectangular in shape.

The building was rebuilt between 118 and 125 AD, during the reign of Hadrian.

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Pantheon is a milestone in the history of Architecture.

The piazza in front …

The external brick wall

Satellite map

Pantheon

Plaza Navona

The Portico

Satellite map

A 3D spherical plan

Top View

The main components of the building – the portico, the rotunda and the dome.

A brilliant composition of geometric forms.

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Side view of the dome.

Architecture elements

The ceiling is an unreinforced concrete dome resting on a thick circular wall or rotunda. The circular opening at the top of the dome is called the Oculus, providing light and ventilation.

The Pantheon has a coffered dome. This reduces the material used for construction and therefore the weight of the ceiling.

From the diagram above you can also see the cross-section of the roof get thinner as the dome gets higher.

Method of Construction

Very light stone called pumice, which float on water, were used as the raw material with the concrete. It further reduce the weight of the dome.

Coffers dome

Oculus

Buttressing

Piers

7 recesses for 7 gods

Pier, support for span

Portico

Portico

Rotunda

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The wall in 3 sections with embedded arches

Entrance

The giant bronze door entrance

The coffered concrete ceiling

Ceiling

The diameter of the dome is 43.3 meters (142 ft). It remained the largest dome in the world for more than a millennium and is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. There are 5 rows of coffers, to reduce the weight of the dome, around the ceiling.

The Oculus – only source of light

Image Raphael

Tomb

The statue of St Rasius.

Raphael, the painter was buried here. A small black statue on the wall marked his grave.

Raphael’s tomb

The bust of Sanzio Raphael, at his grave.

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Raphael’s sarcophagus was inscribed with these words “Bones and ashes”.

Seven niches for seven gods.Interior

Rotanda Interior

It is the best preserved building of ancient Rome.

The oldest building in the world, still in use

today.

The main altar

High Altar

The high altar

The ceiling over the main altar

The high altar

The tomb of the first king of Italy

The entire interior is covered with marbles.

The ceiling of the portico

The portico

The side of the portico

Fountain Image

View from the fountain.

Evolution of styles …

End

The End

Music - Albinoni’s oboe concerto in C Major, op 9 no 57 - 1st movement. AllegroAll rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available

free for non-commercial and personal use.

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