All You Need to Know About the History of the Pantheon in Rome

The Pantheon in Rome, the eighth wonder of the Ancient World, has stood the test of time and still in all its marvel stands at the position it did before, in the marshy terrain of Campus Martius. Now the area surrounding the monument is known as Piazza della Rotanda, which signifies the structure itself.

This ancient Roman building is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings of all times. This is mainly because it has been in constant use ever since its first creation around 27 BC - 14 A.D. 

It has undergone multiple reconstructions, but the core remains the same, more or less. Today even, it is a Catholic church with an average of 7 million visitors per year.

The "Why It Was Made?" Debate

Located in modern-day Italy, this monument's history goes so far back that this monument's inception and the other re-creations are a bit blurry. So is the case with most old architectural marvels, The Pantheon also has several legends with itself.

The speculation before was that The Pantheon was created as a temple dedicated to ancient Rome's seven planetary deities. This belief was because of the etymology of the word "Pantheon" itself. 

The term "Pantheon" comes from the ancient Greek word "Pantheion," which means "of, relating to, or common to all the gods."

This belief was further added by the numerous statues of the deities placed around the building or the dome-like structure supposed to indicate the heavens. 

But this speculation was made by Cassius Dio, a Roman senator, whose uncertainty suggests that this name was merely a nickname and not the formal name of the building. However, this claim of The Pantheon created as a temple for the ancient Roman Gods is questionable in today's age.

Livy has pointed out against Dio's point that the practice of having a temple be dedicated does not make much sense in the Ancient Rome context. 

During those times, temples were usually dedicated to a single deity so that the people would know which God has gotten offended and who to offer a sacrifice to save the situation.

Besides that, there are several inscriptions on The Pantheon. The word "Aedes Panthei" (temple of all the Gods) has not been used, but just the term "Pantheum." 

Godfrey and Hemsoll say that the word "Pantheon" does not necessarily mean related to Gods. During those times, it also meant "superhuman" or even "excellent."


The Structure

The Pantheon stands as a circular building with a concrete dome rising from the walls. There is a gabled triangular roof that lies its weight on the Corinthian columns situated on the front porch.

It has the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome on the interior, also known as the Oldest Concrete Shell. The material used in the construction of the marvel is one reason why it has stood the test of time. The materials used are concrete, brick, and white marble.


The History of Its Construction

While a bit disputed, the history goes like this that The Pantheon we see today is the third recreation of the structure built originally in the same place.

According to Roman mythology, the first creation was speculated to be related to where the founder of Rome ascended to heaven between 753-715 BC, Romulus. This place was used to host rites and processions to the original Pantheon of Gods that included Jupiter, Juno, Minera, Saturn, etc., of Rome.

But that claim is argued against by many of the historians who claim that Emperor Marcus Agrippa made the first design in 27 B.C. to celebrate his victory over Marc Anthony and Cleopatra in Egypt and the shape was rectilinear and T-shaped. 

This, however, was struck by a tragedy and burnt in a great fire of 80 A.D.

The second recreation took place by Emperor Domitian in 110 A.D., but it was stuck again by the lightning and burnt too. 

The final one is by Emperor Hadrian during 125 A.D., and it has been speculated that this time The Pantheon was dedicated to every known God. Still, as mentioned above, this claim is often disputed too.

It has been restored several times after that, and this is why it stays in shape today. It functioned as a temple for two centuries where polytheism was practiced. 

Statues of Ancient Roman gods filled this place, and animals were sacrificed by the method of burning. The large oculus in the center of the dome is where this smoke escaped out of.

For a brief period, there was a shift in belief from Polytheism to Christianity in Rome till 602 A.D. When it was finally transferred to Pope Boniface IV in 608 A.D., it became the first Roman temple to become Christianized.

Today, it is a significant tourist destination and a popular place for weddings. You can have an enriching experience by touring one of the oldest historical marvels existing in brilliant shape today. 

The best times to visit would be around noon, and from the majestic oculus, you can see the clouds passing by, and maybe, just maybe, you will be taken back to a land before this time.

Written by – Srishti Purohit

Edited by – Sandhya R