| The Pantheon in Rome is a rare ancient building | | | | The talent of the designers is also on display in the |
| because it has resisted the decay of time so well. One | | | | tapering steps of the dome. That dome is an amazing |
| reason it is such a treasure is that it is the only intact | | | | 20 feet thick at the base of the structure and 7.5 feet |
| example of architecture of the time of that size, age | | | | thick at the oculus. The composition of the dome is |
| and span. The ability of The Pantheon to hold up for | | | | also a part of the balance that keeps it aloft because |
| centuries is no accident - rather, it reflects a genius of | | | | the lower parts are made of heavier materials and as |
| engineering skill. | | | | it rises to the peak, the material that was used is |
| The Pantheon holds up well in comparison to modern | | | | lighter. This simple design plan seems obvious but |
| buildings for architectural innovation so much so that it | | | | many architects down through time and to this day do |
| has been copied often, but few have been able to | | | | not use such simple design methods to replicate the |
| match or surpass the brilliance of this ancient building. | | | | success of that dome. |
| The fact that it stands to this day as a challenge to | | | | It seems that the two thousand years that the |
| modern architects to live up to its design is only more | | | | Pantheon has stood has not changed its stability one |
| amazing considering it was built around 125 AD, during | | | | bit. And if that isn't awe inspiring enough, consider that it |
| the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian. | | | | was built without any of the modern technology, tools |
| The basic design is one that is brilliantly simple, placing a | | | | or machines that we use to build our buildings today. |
| round enclosure next to a rectangular entryway. The | | | | When you admire the sturdy and elegant materials |
| gateway to the Pantheon is built in the style of a | | | | used to create the Pantheon, keep in mind also that |
| Greek portico, using columns made of granite and | | | | the engineers that built this marvel had to bring in |
| finished off with a triangular pediment on top. The | | | | everything that went into the construction by floating |
| entrance is supported by three rows of 39 foot | | | | those materials in on the Tiber river. From the river, |
| Corinthian columns. Eight of those supports are at the | | | | those materials were laboriously moved to the site |
| front and then there are two sets further in - each | | | | using humans and animals pulling carts. |
| with four supports that lead you onward toward the | | | | The huge bronze doors of the Pantheon have |
| central rotunda. So the rectangular section serves the | | | | undergone a number of restorations over the years. |
| function of joining the rotunda and the portico. | | | | But there has never been any serious structural repair |
| This design seems amazingly simple but under scrutiny | | | | needed or done to the Pantheon at any time in the |
| you find dozens of examples of pure genius. | | | | history of the building. That record is even more |
| For example, the massive dome of concrete that is on | | | | amazing considering that the Pantheon was built on |
| top of the round central component is of such elegant | | | | marsh land. |
| design and of such high quality of construction that | | | | A good comparison in terms of amazing longevity of |
| anything less in the design of this dome would have | | | | the Pantheon is the Leaning Tower of Pisa which |
| collapsed under its own weight. | | | | seems to need virtually continuous effort to support |
| That huge dome is 142 feet across. By way of | | | | and maintain that structure. Much of the reason for the |
| comparison, that makes it 46 feet bigger than the | | | | troubles of that tower is the marshy ground under the |
| crowning that is on top of the White House that | | | | construction. Another great building that was built at the |
| stands in Washington DC. The oculus of the dome at | | | | same time as the Pantheon in Rome is the Parthenon |
| its zenith is 25 feet of that span. The unique | | | | in Greece and it is for all intents and purposes a wreck |
| composition, brilliant engineering and amazing | | | | 2000 years after it was built. |
| construction standards are the reasons for the dome | | | | In the eighth century, the Roman Pantheon was |
| that is virtually impervious to the ravages of time. | | | | adapted to be used as a church. And unlike many |
| It's easy to think that the opening in the center of that | | | | ancient sites, the Pantheon was not set aside just to |
| large oculus is just for artistic design. But it has an | | | | be admired, as it has been in continuous use from the |
| important job of reducing the weight of the dome. It is | | | | day it opened until our modern time. |
| also perfectly balanced to distribute the stress of the | | | | Many modern architects have copied the amazing |
| dome's weight around its circumference. This makes | | | | design of the Pantheon. Some famous architecture |
| the dome as resistant to being crushed as a bicycle | | | | that was inspired by the Pantheon includes the |
| wheel that we are familiar with. | | | | Thomas Jefferson Rotunda at the University of |
| That opening also allows light into the interior, providing | | | | Virginia as well as the Reading Room of the British |
| a perfect natural lighting. However it also lets in the | | | | Museum. |
| elements such as the rain so the floor below is well | | | | If you have admired those wonderful buildings, it's |
| designed to drain off water accumulation to drains that | | | | worth it to spend some time seeing the building that |
| keep it safely out from underfoot. | | | | inspired them all. |