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Roman Pantheon

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Pantheon
Greek Architectural Practices
Looking at the Pantheon in Rome, the borrowed Greek architectural practices that stand out most prominently can be seen throughout the face of the building. The arrangement of the decorative dentils, the evenly spaced notches along the cornice, is derived from the Greek Corinthian order; this is also the case for the curled acanthus leaves on the capital of the columns. On the other hand, the volute on each column capital is derived from the Greek Ionic order. Many elements of these two orders were combined by the Romans when developing the Composite order, which is masterfully incorporated, not only onto the exterior columns and entablature, but throughout the structure.
Comparing it to a notable building constructed using Greek practices, the Parthenon, you can also discern a similar rhythm in the placement of the columns at an equal distance from each other across the front of the building. Looking at the building head on, there is symmetry, similar to what you would observe looking at the Parthenon head on. Even the number of columns used to support the entablature (eight) is the same in each building (although six was more common for buildings constructed with Greek practices). The aesthetic qualities of Greek architecture was apparently very appealing to Roman architects, as they went out of their way to borrow and adapt much of it.
Uniquely Roman
At a glance, ignoring the rounded portion of the structure, one might mistake the Pantheon for one of the Greek buildings that influenced so many of its visual features; however, while the building may share some aesthetic similarities with ones built using Greek architectural practices, there are quite a few elements which are uniquely Roman. As mentioned before, the combination of multiple Greek orders into the Roman’s Composite order was something unique to them. The Roman’s also wanted to maintain the aesthetic value of columns while utilizing the structural options available to them at the time, which lead them to develop engaged columns and pilasters. Their use of concrete in the construction of their buildings made advancements like these possible. The engaged columns can be seen throughout both the interior and exterior of the building, and are a perfect example of how the Romans, in spite of borrowing appealing superficial aspects of Greek architectural practices, were innovative enough to apply them in a unique way.
As you look past the face of the building, it’s easy to identify elements that are entirely unique to the Romans. In addition to being larger than many Greek buildings, the rear of the building is constructed in a circular configuration and capped off with a massive dome, 43.4 meters in diameter. The dome was a significant architectural achievement, and the largest at the time of its completion. The Romans were able to accomplish this feat by building the dome with “concrete of varying density from the bottom to the top.” (Roth)
As a result of the buildings shape, it maintains its symmetry, but has a unique rhythm not present in Greek structures. This rhythmic arrangement of its features is easily appreciated from within the circular section of the building, when looking up at the dome. There are five rows of square indentations, evenly spaced along the inside of the dome, with each row’s size slightly decreasing the higher up on the dome you go. Below that, the small window-like openings alternate with rectangular decorations in the same pattern. Columns, some engaged, are placed throughout the large circular chamber in sync with those elements.
Finally, another major aspect that was unique was the lighting within the circular chamber. The Pantheon is enclosed, with a single source of natural light from the oculus above (a relatively small opening at the very top of the dome, which allows exposure to the sun). The format of structures built using Greek practices wouldn’t normally permit natural lighting from above to occur. This means that the Romans would have been able to exploit the resource of natural light (to a limited degree), whereas the Greeks would normally have to consider alternate methods of lighting within their buildings.
Conclusions
Ultimately, while the Pantheon shares physical traits and structural similarities to buildings constructed using Greek architectural practices, its approach, configuration, and size set it apart from most Greek architecture. The Romans, seemingly, appreciated the unique stylized appearance of Greek buildings, and adapted their own unique spin on that.
Works Cited
Roth, Leland M. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning. Boulder, CO: Westview, 2007. Print.
Reznick, Ron. Pantheon_6481. N.d. Photograph. Rome Select Master Index. Www.digital-images.net. Www.digital-images.net, jun. Web. 28 June 2013. <http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Rome/Scenery/Pantheon/pantheon.html>.
Reznick, Ron. Pantheon_Alter_Apse_7445M. N.d. Photograph. Rome Select Master Index. Www.digital-images.net. Www.digital-images.net, jun. Web. 28 June 2013. <http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Rome/Scenery/Pantheon/pantheon.html>.
Reznick, Ron. Pantheon_column_detail_8511c. N.d. Photograph. Rome Select Master Index. Www.digital-images.net. Www.digital-images.net, jun. Web. 28 June 2013. <http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Rome/Scenery/Pantheon/pantheon.html>.
Reznick, Ron. Pantheon_Dome_6492. N.d. Photograph. Rome Select Master Index. Www.digital-images.net. Www.digital-images.net, jun. Web. 28 June 2013. <http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Rome/Scenery/Pantheon/pantheon.html>.
Reznick, Ron. Pantheon_Oculus_6509. N.d. Photograph. Rome Select Master Index. Www.digital-images.net. Www.digital-images.net, jun. Web. 28 June 2013. <http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Rome/Scenery/Pantheon/pantheon.html>.

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