|
Introduction I chose to report on the pantheon because I’ve seen pictures and
I am also very fascinated by all the Roman monuments. I looked all around the
internet and libraries. The Pantheon was very hard to find information about. It
was very challenging but I found enough information to complete this report.
This famous building stands in the business district of Romemuch as it was built
some 18 centuries ago.
Amazingly, it has withstood the ravages of both the
elements and war permitting a firsthand view of a unique product constructed by
Roman hands. Now, it is exposed to acid rain and fumes from passing automobiles
and overshadowed by buildings of inferior taste; but, with trust in the future,
the Pantheon will survive.
Unrecognized, the design of this ancient concrete
building reveals unparalleled features not encountered in modern design
standards. Recent studies reveal several major cracks in the dome, but it still
functions unimpaired. This condition will surely excite the curiosity of our
structural engineers. The building was built entirely without steel reinforcing
rods to resist tensile cracking, so necessary in concrete members, and for this
concrete dome with a long span to last centuries is incredible.
Today, no
engineer would dare build this structure without steel rods! Modern codes of
engineering practice would not permit such mischief. No investor with knowledge
of concrete design would provide the funding. Additional constraints when
attempting to build a structure as large as the Pantheon will be discussed
later, but briefly they include the use of inadequate hand tools and unsafe
lifting devices.
I believe we can learn from this activity. Workers can build
from a plan and can successfully use their proven practices only if construction
quality controls are maintained. History tells us that the Pantheon is a Greek
word meaning to honor all Gods (particularly the Olympian divinities).
It is
ironic that our building has existed throughout many wars while being dedicated
to all Gods; one can readily perceive this to be a temple for our one God. And,
the Church has claimed this holy structure as a resting place for its most
famous Popes, so we continue to honor its magnificent divinity.
The first
incarnation of this ancient temple was built by Agrippa, the son-in-law of the
Roman Emperor Augustus, about 27 B.C. Today, above the entrance carved in stone
are the words M. AGRIPPA L. F. COS. TERTIUM FECIT which is translated, Marcus
Agrippa, son of Lucius, in his third consulate, made it.
Indeed, it is worth
mentioning that Agrippa's engineering talents were used in building the famous
Pont de Gard aqueduct in France. As with many cities, tragedy in the form of
large fires such as those of 60, 64, 79, 100 and 110 A.D. seemed to strike Rome.
Originally, many Roman buildings contained travertine (limestone rock) which
easily cracked in fires. The first Pantheon was severely damaged and required
replacement except for some parts of the lower porch section and foundation. The
Pantheon was rebuilt by the Emperor Hadrian during the period 118 to 128 A.D. (a
time given by Ward-Perkins).2 But the Ward-Perkins's period is disputed by,
Lugli who said the building was started sometime after 123 A.D. and was finished
by Emperor Pius about 140 A.D.3 However, most of the bricks were made and placed
in the Pantheon in 123 A.D., a date that the maker stamped on his bricks. This
was discovered in 1892 by the French archaeologist, George Chedanne.
It appears
the construction of the rotunda walls took a period of 4 to 5 years, and the
dome required a like period because of its height and the meager tools the
Romans used. This long construction period was fortunate as it gave this
pozzolan concrete ample time to cure and gain strength. Was the second temple
like the first? Yes, the fundamental principle of the old Roman religion
required that the temples be rebuilt without changes in original form.
Tradition
required that the main entrance face north, and thus the whole building was
oriented on the north-south axis of the building. A description of its
structural features is separated into the configuration, foundation ring,
circular walls, and dome to more clearly define various components. How these
pieces are unique in view of today's design requirements will be discussed
shortly.
Body The Pantheon is one of the great spiritual buildings of the world.
It was built as a Roman temple and later consecrated as a Catholic Church. Its
monumental porch originally faced a rectangular colonnaded temple courtyard and
now enfronts the smaller Piazza della Rotonda. Through great bronze doors, one
enters one great circular room.
The interior volume is a cylinder above which
rises the hemispherical dome. Opposite the door is a recessed semicircular apse,
and on each side re three additional recesses, alternately rectangular and
semicircular, separated from the space under the dome by paired monolithic
columns.
The only natural light enters through an unglazed oculus at the center
of the dome and through the bronze doors to the portico. As the sun moves,
striking patterns of light illuminate the walls and floors of porphyry, granite
and yellow marbles.
Inside the Pantheon The building design is one of a large
round shape very much like a large barrel with a dome covering the top. There is
a light-well in the center of the dome. Layers of beautiful thin brickwork cover
the outside, round walls. Small access holes appear occasionally in the wall
which were used during construction to frame interior voids. The main entrance
is thoroughly impressive: double bronze doors 21 feet high (6.4 meters), a
lasting and fitting contribution from their metal smiths.
|
