The Pantheon

The Pantheon is an ancient Roman monument with a complex history, originally a temple to the gods, then converted into a church, and now a tourist attraction.

• The building showcases artistic techniques such as massive columns, marble bases, and Corinthian capitals imported from Egypt, symbolizing Rome's power.
• The interior of the Pantheon features a vast circular space with ideal geometrical shapes like circles, rectangles, and squares, emphasizing the building's concern with ideal geometries.
• The dome of the Pantheon creates a dynamic visual relationship with the decorative structures in the barrel, showcasing the use of concrete as a structural support.
• Roman architects used concrete to support the weight and pressure of the dome, allowing for vast, open, uninterrupted space within the building.
• The Pantheon's design reflects the movement of the heavens, with the oculus acting as the only source of light and functioning almost like a sundial.
• The Pantheon's influence extends to the Renaissance and modern architecture, with many architects referencing and copying its design elements.

Speakers

• Dr. Beth Harris
• Dr. Steven Zucker