Post on 16-Dec-2015
PantheonPantheon, Rome
First created. 6 Sep 2010. Version 2.0. 28.3.12. London. Jerry Tse
A Roman Masterpiece
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. All the lands bordering the Mediterranean sea were part of the Roman Empire.
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. Together with bricks, these 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 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.
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 27-25 BC, it was the site used by Agrippa, who wanted to dedicate it to Augustus Caesar, his father-in-law. When Augustus declined the honour, it was dedicated to the major gods (Mars, Venus etc.) It was rectangular in shape.
The current building was rebuilt between 118 and 125 AD, during the reign of Hadrian.
Top View
The main components of the building – the portico, the rotunda and the dome.
Pantheon – A brilliant composition of
geometric forms.
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
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
Raphael, the painter buries here. There is a small black statue of him on the wall marking his grave.
Raphael’s tomb
Rotanda Interior
This is the best preserved building of ancient Rome.
Pantheon – The oldest building in the world, still
in use today.