Roman Pantheon originates from 27 B.C. Marcus Agrippa who was the son in law of Augustus built it to commemorate the victory in the Battle of Actium.
Agrippa built the Pantheon for own money and intended to dedicate the temple to the Augustus. But Augustus was the modest person. He rejected Agrippa proposition and temple was dedicated to the all gods of ancient Rome. This is the meaning of the word “Pantheon”. It has the Greek roots and from Greek could be translated as “dedicated to all the gods”.
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To be more exact Pantheon in Rome was dedicated to the seven main gods of Rome whose statues were established inside of the temple.
First Pantheon not stood a long time. A hundred years later it was demolished by the lightning strike. In 118 Emperor Hadrian (who reigned in Rome) decided to refurbish Pantheon and assigned this work to his architect Apollodorus of Damascus. From the previous temple Apollodorus left only columns in front of the building. He built a big hall and topped it with a big golden dome which in the Middle Ages seemed unrepeatable for the medieval people.
We could say that the current view of the Pantheon was given to the building thanks to the Hadrian and Apollodorus.
Hadrian and Apollodorus paid their respect to the first creator of the Roman Pantheon. They left the name of Agrippa at the building façade. That is why during a long period of the time people thought that the current Pantheon has been built by the Agrippa.
Ancient temples usually were not used for worship. Of course, the temple was the “house of the god” but people did their services outside of the temples. In the temples were stored the spoils, gifts and important documents. Usually ordinary people were not allowed to pass inside of the temple.
Roman Pantheon had a different purpose. By that building Hadrian intended to show to the world the greatness and the inviolability of the Roman Empire. And we need to admit that he did it successfully.
Pantheon in Rome does not have luxuriant interior but its dome never was surpassed by the best world architectures. The building does not have windows. But its interior is not gloomy and always has enough light. It’s possible thanks to the so-called “heavenly window” - a big hole in center of the dome. But this hole made so deliberately and cunningly that in the rainy days the rain never falls inside.
I think it’s worth mentioning the legend about the Parthenon rubbish which claims that the dome of the Roman Parthenon was built from the construction garbage. Also, according to the legend, Hadrian ordered to hide inside the dome his gold.
In the ancient time Parthenon’s dome glittered with its golden surface. In front of the main entrance was the big square with Triumph Arch in the center. Before to get into the temple every man passed through the Arch and paid in such way his respect to the gods.
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Roman Pantheon - is an only one untouched building of antiquity. Last Roman Emperor Theodicy First ordered to close the temple in the end of the 4th century. And for me it’s a little enigma how Pantheon was saved in those times.
After a two centuries Pantheon was converted into the Christian church and dedicated to the Our Lady. It saved the temple from the future destruction.
Pantheon always pulled the scrutiny from the scientists and artists. Michelangelo said that the Pantheon – is an angel’s creation and Rafael bequeathed to bury his inside.
Btw, I heard the version that in the 15 century Pantheon was used as the fortress and it was Raphael who insisted to turn the building into the church again. I can’t say that it’s true but I don’t have any doubts that Raphael played a big role in the history of the Pantheon.
The Raphael’s testament was completed and starting from the 1520 Roman Pantheon began to serve as the shrine for prominent people of Rome. Later this tradition was spread to other countries and now word Pantheon has additional meaning. It means – “the burial place for famous people”.
In the 17 century all gold was taken out from the Dome to adorn the St. Pater Basilica in Rome. This work was assigned to the Bernini and he felt guilty for it. To reimburse something to the building he built two towers in front of the Pantheon. I don’t know exactly why but those towers were named as “donkey’s towers” among the Romans. In the 1641 one of them was demolished.
Today Roman Pantheon fronted to the small Column Square which gained its name thanks to the Egyptian obelisk which was transferred here from the former Field of Mars.
When you will visit the Pantheon don't forget that it’s a church so you should be dressed respectively and keep silence.
