Pantheon
by Hadrian
Classic
Roman (c.120 CE)
Rome,
Italy
BOTTOM:
Parthenon
by Ictinus and Calicrates, Phidias
Golden
Age (c.450 BCE)
Athens,
Greece
Both
the Parthenon and the Pantheon represent incredibly important standards
relating to the people and what they thought of the gods. These temples of
worship sought to honor various gods, as well as to show each civilization's
technology.
Both
show post and lintel architecture. Both display pillars, with the Parthenon
showing Doric order, and the Pantheon showing Corinthian. While the Pantheon
pillars do not display fluting, both structures' pillars show slight entasis.
The Parthenon displays the use of triglyphs and metopes (frieze), as well as
small sculptures mounted inside the pediment. The Parthenon also has a flat
base, whereas the Pantheon has a slightly curved base to funnel possible water.
The Pantheon displays a dome with an oculus at the top, with small temples with
pillars and friezes inside. Arches and small pediments are also present in the
Pantheon, as well as coffers that aid in supporting the dome. The Parthenon is
made out of stone, whereas the Pantheon is made out of concrete and some
volcanic rock finished with marble veneer.
The
Parthenon and the Pantheon both show various, well thought out techniques to
trick the eye. The Parthenon uses a special ratio to fool the eye into thinking
the building is much grander than it might actually be. Various figures
depicting Greek gods are mounted in the pediment and there are various friezes
showing ideas such as the Apollonian/Dionysian Conflict. The interior of the
Parthenon uses two sets of half-pillars around a statue of Athena to enhance
the grandiose nature of the statue and to trick the eye into thinking the
sculpture is larger than it actually is. The Pantheon displays the melding of
ideas of Roman and Greek architecture by combining domes and arches with
pillars and pediments.
The
Parthenon was created as both a means to show architectural greatness, as well
as to honor the gods and is located atop a hill/mountain within the Acropolis.
Athena was chosen to represent the city, therefore there was a statue of Athena
inside of the structure. As the years passed, the structure was used as a
storage house for gunpowder and exploded, thus leaving the temple in ruin. The
Pantheon was built by Emperor Hadrian in an effort to improve Rome; to break
away from the city being of "bricks". The temple was in honor of all
of the gods and is said to have been Hadrian’s place of business or throne
room. Eventually, the structure was converted into a church.
In
conclusion, both structures show references to various forms of technologies
and ideas in relation to religion. Both sought to be grand contributions to
their communities and paid reverence to gods.
