**Etymology and History:** – The name Pantheon means of, relating to, or common to all the gods in Ancient Greek. – The concept of a temple dedicated to all the gods has been debated. – The only definite pantheon recorded earlier than Agrippas was at Antioch in Syria. – The origin of the name Pantheon has been speculated by different sources. – The word Pantheon may have been a nickname rather than a formal name for the building. – The Pantheon was part of a complex built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa in 29-19 BC. – The building was likely Agrippas private sanctuary, not a public temple. – The current Pantheon was not entirely built by Agrippa but underwent alterations. – The Latin inscription on the temple facade credits Agrippa for the construction. – Archaeological excavations revealed that the original Pantheon of Agrippa was destroyed. **Architecture and Design:** – The Pantheon features a large circular domed cella with a temple portico front. – The concrete dome of the Pantheon is the worlds largest unreinforced dome. – The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are both 43 meters. – The building has been well-preserved due to continuous use throughout history. – The Pantheon has been a church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs since the 7th century. – The Pantheon’s architecture features a perfect cube inscribed within a sphere. – The dome’s dimensions are expressed in ancient Roman units of measurement. – It holds the record for the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. – The Pantheon is larger than earlier domes and does not require reinforcement. **Legacy and Influence:** – The Pantheon became a standard exemplar in classical architecture. – The term Pantheon has been applied to buildings honoring illustrious dead. – The Pantheon influenced later architects who copied its design. – The Pantheon in Rome is a popular tourist destination, visited by over six million people in 2013. – The Pantheon is managed by Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism. **Medieval and Renaissance History:** – Byzantine emperor Phocas gave Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV in 609. – Converted into a Christian church and consecrated to St. Mary and the Martyrs. – Twenty-eight cartloads of holy relics of martyrs placed beneath the high altar. – Saved from abandonment and destruction during the Early Middle Ages. – Important burials at Pantheon include Raphael, Annibale Carracci, Arcangelo Corelli, and Baldassare Peruzzi. – Adorned with paintings in the 15th century. **Modern Usage and Structure:** – Two kings of Italy buried in the Pantheon: Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I, and Queen Margherita. – Monarchs of Italy of the House of Savoy were supposed to be buried there, but the monarchy abolished in 1946. – The Pantheon functions as a Catholic church, hosting masses on Sundays and holy days. – Weddings are occasionally held at the Pantheon. – Originally approached by steps, later eliminated by raising the ground level. – Pediment likely decorated with a gilded bronze eagle within a wreath. – Design adjustments made due to logistical difficulties in receiving 50-foot columns. – Grey granite columns in the pronaos were quarried in Egypt and transported to Rome. – Large bronze doors to the cella are the oldest in Rome.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Pantheon