Ancient Roman Culture and Art: The Pantheon - Coursework Example

Art History I 12 October 2008 Ancient Roman Culture and Art: The Pantheon Ancient Rome (510 BC-AD 476) was a civilization that grew from a city-state founded on the Italian Peninsula around the 9th century BC to a massive empire along the Mediterranean Sea. The founding of Rome goes back to the very early days of civilization. The Romans believed that their city was founded in the year 753 BC. Modern historians though believe it was the year 625 BC (Nardo 57). In its twelve-century existence, Roman civilization shifted from a monarchy, to a republic, to an autocratic empire. Despite its great legacy, the Roman Empire eventually broke into several kingdoms in the 5th century due to civil wars, corruption, and devastating Germanic Invasions (Trachtenberg 6). Nevertheless, ancient Roman culture evolved throughout the almost 1200-year history of that civilization. Major Cultural Achievements of Ancient Roman Civilization There were many significant cultural achievements during the ancient Roman period. Ancient Rome has contributed greatly to the development of law, war, art, literature, architecture, technology and language in the Western world, and its history continues to have a major influence on the world today. In literature, some of the earliest works we possess are of historical epics telling the early military history of Rome. As the empire expanded, authors began to produce poetry, comedy, history, and tragedy. Virgil represents the pinnacle of Roman epic poetry. The genre of satire was common in Rome, and satires were written by, among others, Juvenal and Persius (Nardo 78). In art, portrait sculpture during the period utilized youthful and classical proportions, evolving later into a mixture of realism and idealism. Many Roman homes were decorated with landscapes. Advancements were also made in relief sculptures, often depicting Roman victories. Music was a major part of everyday life and public events were accompanied by music, ranging from nightly dining to military parades. However, the Ancient Romans were best known for their architectural ability. They constructed great buildings such as the Collesseum, auquaducts, and the Pantheon. The chief Roman contributions to architecture were the arch and the dome. Over time, Roman architecture was modified as their urban requirements changed, and the civil engineering and building construction technology became developed and refined. The Roman concrete has remained a riddle, and even after more than 2,000 years, some Roman structures still stand magnificently. In fact, the architectural style of the capital city was emulated by other urban centers under Roman control and influence (Trachteberg 89). The Pantheon of Rome The Pantheon is one of Romes oldest preserved and most popular monuments. The Pantheon has stood there since it had in 27 BC. It is the largest dome built in the world. People have referred to it as the symbol of Rome. It was based on the 12 gods of heaven (Trachtenberg 103). The temple was built according to the wishes of Marco Agrippa, Caesar Augustuss son-in-law, in 27 B.C. During the course of its long history, it has undergone extensive damage and restoration, to the point of a total face-lift at the hands of Hadrian, which is basically what remains today. It is divided into two distinct architectural sections: a Greek-style pronao (entrance vestibule), and a cylindrical body, having height and diameter of equal dimensions. It is built entirely of brick, with niches carved into its thick walls. The triangular shaped pronao is held up by 16, monolithic, pink granite columns. Above the beams rises the cupola, with its inset squares, to the 9-meter in diameter, central foro, or opening. This opening is the only way through which external light may enter. The most elaborate mural decoration is in the spandrels of the main arcades, with astonishing complexity and refinement (Nardo 187). However, what makes the Pantheon so remarkable is mainly its size. The 28-foot diameter oculus, the main source of light in the Pantheon, acts like the sun, generating opulent effects of light and shade with the differing conditions throughout the day. The giant sunbeam, acts like a “cosmic clock, evoking the presence of the gods to whom the building was dedicated” (Trachtenburg 141). Pantheon as Representation of the Ancient Roman Culture The Pantheon has played a religious role of a temple to worship gods and it has always been a type of propaganda for Roman religions, such as ancient to Roman religion and to Catholicism. The Pantheon was there in the ancient roman period to worship gods and goddesses of the ancient Roman religion. The Romans rarely placed arches into temple designs; one of the exceptions is the Pantheon. It is topped with a curved dome that looks out to the sky and when it rains it hits the marble of the floor. To make it even more exceptional, the Pantheon is decorated with mosaics and paintings from scenes in history. The generic term pantheon is now applied to a monument in which illustrious dead are buried. It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world. It has been in continuous use throughout its history and is currently the oldest standing domed structure in Rome (Beavers 5). Cultural Heritage of Roman Civilization Clearly a superior culture, Roman achievements are the basis for many advances in technology, architecture, and more. Its significance is perhaps best reflected in its endurance and influence, as is seen in the longevity and lasting importance of works of Virgil and Ovid. Additionally telling are the many aspects of Classical culture that have been incorporated into the cultures of those states rising from the ashes of the Roman Empire. Latin, that was the empires primary language, remains used in religion, science, and law. Christianity, a religion adopted by the culture as the Roman Empires downfall neared, has over two billion followers today. Its survival can be partly attributed to its promotion by Roman authorities. The enduring Roman influence is reflected pervasively in contemporary language, literature, legal codes, government, architecture, engineering, medicine, sports, and arts. Much of it is so deeply imbedded that we barely notice our debt to ancient Rome. The architecture of the Roman period is as unique as the cultures themselves. A great building that has remained timeless through the centuries is the Parthenon from the Roman era. Behind this magnificent architecture, one of historys best-known civilizations took shape, leaving behind a cultural legacy that still survives today. Works Cited Beavers, Anthony. EAWC Chonology: Rome. 1997. University of Evansville. 01 Nov. 2002 . Nardo, Don. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1998. Trachtenberg, Marvin and Isabelle Hyman. Architecture, from Prehistory to Post- Modernism. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1986. Read More