Pantheon Pantheon, one of the engineering marvels of Ancient Rome, was built in dedication to all Roman gods. The name “Pantheon” carries the meaning of "All Gods” in Greek. It was widely believed that the temple was first designed by Marcus Agrippa in 118CE, and later refined under the supervision of Emperor Hadrian in 125CE. Not only does the remarkable monument reflect the essence of the values and beliefs of the Roman Empire, it also demonstrates the power and capabilities of Roman engineering. The Pantheon is a place of worship as well as a symbol of the Romans’ imperial pride and authority. This essay intends to examine the Pantheon’s relevance to Ancient Rome’s culture and political position.

The Pantheon consists of two major principal architectural components, the rectilinear porch and the domed rotunda. Upon first glance the Pantheon may appear as a Greek temple. The Corinthian columns which constitutes the façade of the building, are undoubtedly elements of Greek architecture. Being heavily influenced by Greek architecture, Romans incorporated elements of Greek architecture into the Pantheon. However, not everything was based on Greek traditions. After the Romans conquered the Greeks, they synthesized certain aspects of Greek architecture and internalised it as part of their own tradition. Despite being aware of vaults and arches, the Greeks did not employ these features in their buildings. On the other hand, Romans ventured into this area and employed