The Pantheon is one of the most recognizable ancient buildings in Rome, Italy. The building has stood for thousands of years and was constructed under the rule of Emperor Augustus. The name comes from for two Greek words. The first is “pan” which translates to everything. The second is “teon” that essentially translates to divine. The Pantheon was constructed in 126 AD. The architects of this phenomenal building were Marcus Agrippa, who was assisted by Apollodorus of Damascus. The Pantheon has often received wide praise and acclaim for its architectural design as well as its concept of space. It is truly phenomenal for a building constructed in such an ancient time to have such advanced design. In this paper, I will explore the dominant architectural design adopted in the construction of the building. I will particularly focus on several elements of the architecture style. One of these elements is the mathematical theories and relationships employed. The paper will also look at the dimensional tolerances utilized during construction as well as the astronomical coordination of the building. The paper will also look at the general layout of more budding with more emphasis being given to its dome. This analysis will be done from a designer’s point of view in order to reveal the dominant methods, procedures, hypothesis and patterns used in its construction.
Graphic 1: The Pantheon’s Dome (courtesy of https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/581/flashcards/761581/jpg/pantheon_dome1320083846215.jpg)
The dome of the Pantheon is the most phenomenal aspects of this building. The dome that is made of concrete is supported by walls that are 25 feet thick (Altin 204). As the dome rises in height, the concrete becomes thinner due to the fact that during the construction as the dome went up, the concrete was combined with lighter stone material (Altin 205). In fact, the top of the dome is mainly comprised of pumice. The dome has a diameter of about 43.4 meters. Its ceiling is coffered with symmetrical rows of sunken panels as well as a round opening (oculus) at the center of the roof. Sunlight usually streams in through this opening at the top known as the oculus and generally plummets the rotunda of the Pantheon (Altin 204). This dome remains one of the moist impressive architectural pieces in the history of building construction.
Research shows that mathematics played a huge role when it came to the construction of the building. The building was conceived after an extensive process involving mathematical calculations and derivations that would ultimately lead to the construction of a perfect building. Mathematics was particularly vital as the main intention behind the construction of the building was for it to act as an “imperial audience chamber” It also acted as a temple especially dedicated to the gods and was projected be an archetypal of the cosmos (Williams 12). The Pantheon was also intended to generally show the greatness and also the mightiness of the Roman Empire. Part of the use of mathematics in this building was to express cultural beliefs and hence, it had to adopt perfect geometric orientation to achieve this purpose (Williams 12).
The general design and layout of the building is proof of the great mathematical thinking that went into its construction. Many have hailed the Pantheon as the perfect depiction of mathematics being incorporated into the design of buildings. In the case of the Pantheon, the most profound aspect of mathematics that has been significantly utilized is geometry (Fernández-Cabo 530).
The interior of the Pantheon is comprised of a semi-circular dome that rests on a cylinder that has equal diameter. The most profound space in this building is actually the rotunda. Through the use of basic mathematical geometric shapes, the Pantheon was able to enfold the greatest space possible at the time. This space is about 142.5 feet under the interior of the dome.
Graphic 2: The Geometry of the Pantheon (courtesy of http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mcda0081/architecture/2006/11/design_mathematics.html0
The rotunda that has an equal height and breadth, and this means that a perfect sphere is capable of being inscribed within it space. This sphere is in turn inscribable in a cube (Williams 12). These forms of pure geometry are an expression of rich symbolism. For instance, the perfect sphere of the volume essentially represents the cosmos (Williams 12). The sphere is often heralded as the most basic of all 3D shapes that exist in natural forms. These for instance include the stars and planets that spin through the various galaxies to the electrons in a cell that spins around the nucleus. These elements essentially make up the basic existence of mankind and by using mathematics, the architects of this building were able to incorporate such aspects into the construction of the building.
On the other hand, the plan’s perfect circle can be said to represent the Roman Empire’s terrestrial domain.
The successful incorporation of mathematics in ten construction of this building shows them enormous amount of planning that wen ingot this building. It also exhibits the level of skill of the people who were involved in the construction and design of the building. Having been designed such a long time, ago, it would be accurate for one to assume that mathematics would not be greatly involved since it had not advanced much but as this building has shown, mathematics is a concept that has in use for a long time when it come to the design of buildings. The Pantheon is simply an exhibition of perfect mathematics at work.
There is also increasing evidence to astronomical aspects played a significant part in the construction of the dome. First is the sun. A close look at the Pantheon shows that it is oriented towards the Northern sky. This is considered to be unusual. Greek temples constructed in places like Italy were usually orientated within the rising sun’s arc so that direct sunlight could enter into the building from the open doors in some seasons of the year (Hannah and Magli 488). Others were orientated in a southern direction. There was no pattern of buildings being oriented towards the Northern sky (Hannah and Magli 489).
Many expansions have been given for this phenomenon with of them being that the building’s project was inspired by a specific sundial type that actually captured the sun’s light within a shadowy interior (Hannah and Magli 490). One assumption from this is that the Pantheon was conceived as astronomical observatory (Martines 59). The building was designed to basically make accurate measurements of the sun's cycles and consequently, there is a conspicuous and symbolic connection between the building and the sun’s path in the course of the year (Martines 59).
Graphic 3: Sunlight beaming into the Pantheon (Courtesy of http://www.studionegri.ie/images/news/pantheon_rome_natural_light.png)
The light inside the Pantheon comes in from the oculus that is located at the top of the building’s roof. During noon time at the Pantheon, the sun always tends to be directly oriented towards the south. This means that direct sunlight tends to always be on the building’s northern hemisphere. The oculus shape in effect provides the impression of casting so spotlight onto the Pantheon’s interior. The position of this spotlight, therefore, changes according to different times and periods of the year. During winter, the spotlight will be higher up the Pantheon’s interior. This is because the position of the sun is usually lower in the sky during the winter season. On the other hand, during the summer, when the sun is overhead, the spotlight will lower in the Pantheon’s interior. There is however s a point between the extremes that spotlight cast by the oculus may be high enough such that it passes the grill.
Conclusion
The Pantheon is truly, a phenomenal building and will remain as an architectural masterpiece. The fact that it was constructed such a long time ago and has remained standing is an achievement by itself. As shown, the general design and layout of the building is a depiction of mathematics being utilized in building design, specifically geometry. The coffered dome has been seen as one of the most remarkable sections of this building. It has also been shown that astronomical elements, especially the sun had a huge influence in the construction of the building and in fact, one assumption is that the Pantheon was conceived as astronomical observatory and was therefore designed to make precise measurements of the annual cycles of the sun.
References
Altin, Müjde. "The structural analysis of domes: From Pantheon until Reichstag." Historical Constructions (2001): 197-208.
Fernández-Cabo, Miguel Carlos. "Analysis of Different Hypotheses about the Geometric Pattern of the Pantheon’s Coffered Dome." Nexus Network Journal, 15.3 (2013): 527-547. Print.
Hannah R, Magli G. “The role of the sun in the Pantheon design and meaning”. Numen, 58 (2011):486–513. Print
Martines, Giangiacomo. "The Relationship Between Architecture and Mathematics in the Pantheon." Nexus Network Journal2.1-2 (2000): 57-62. Print.
Williams, Kim. "Architecture and Mathematics: Art, Music and Science. “Bridges: Mathematical Connections in Art, Music, and Science. Unknown, 1998.
