Why Did Marcus Build The Pantheon Essay

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The pantheon is the most preserved building of ancient Rome and served as a temple that was dedicated to “pan theos” which translates to “all the gods”. Marcus Agrippa, the deputy of Rome’s first emperor, is responsible for the construction of the first pantheon. Marcus built the pantheon in 27 BC as a commemoration for his victory in the battle of Actium, where he defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra. This pantheon was destroyed in 80AD and was rebuilt by emperor Domitian. The second pantheon was also destroyed and was soon rebuilt.
In 118AD, emperor Hadrian completely remodeled the pantheon and saw that it was rebuilt. Construction was completed in 128AD. Emperor Hadrian loved architecture, but he was no architect himself. It is believed …show more content…

Several fights broke out over who would control the empire which weakened the whole of the empire. During this rough time of fighting, Christianity was largely adopted and the Roman empire permanently split into the West Roman Empire and the East Roman Empire. In 476 AD, a German general named Odoacer conquered the West Roman Empire. This was a terrible time for Rome. The population started to decline as there was no centralized government with the new rulers. Buildings, roads, and aqueducts began to deteriorate during this time, for no one bothered to take care of them. The pantheon was no exception. It soon became overgrown with vegetation. All over the outside, vegetation could be seen growing on the walls and ceilings. The Tiber River flooded several times during this period, and with no one there to clean up the area, the mud and water built up. Dirt eventually piled up to where the porch was ground level. With lack of maintenance, the drainage systems in the pantheon became clogged. The rain that came through the oculus had nowhere to go, so it pooled up in the floor and vegetation was quick to grow. By around 600 AD the pantheon was in dire need of maintenance and was almost lost. It very well might have been lost to nature if it wasn’t for Pope Boniface IV. He wanted the pantheon to serve as a catholic church and quickly worked to repair the building. To transition from a pagan temple to a catholic church, Pope Boniface had many of the statues in the temple removed and

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