Chapter XX. Of the Pantheon, now called the Ritonda

AMONG all the temples that are to be seen in Rome, none is more celebrated than A the Pantheon, now called the Rifonda, nor that remains more entire; since it is to be seen almost in its first state as to the fabric, but stript of the statues, and other ornaments,

IT was built, according to the opinion of some, by M. Agrippa about the year of Christ 14. but] believe that the body of the temple was made at the time of the Repubuck, and that M, Agrippa added so it only the portico; which may be apprehended from the two frontispieces that are in the front.

This temple was called the Pantheon, because after Jupiter, it was consecrated to all the gods; or perhaps (as others will have it) because it is of the figure of the world, that is, round; being as much in height from the pavement up to the opening, where it receives light, as it is in breadth from one wall to the other. As one descends now to the fluor, or pavement, so one formerly ascended by steps.

AMONG the most celebrated things one reads that were in the temple, there was an ivory statue of MINERVA, made by Phidias; and another of VENUS, who had for a pendent in her ear the half of that pearl which Cleopatra drank after supper to surpass M. Antony’s liberality. This part only of this pearl they say was esteemed to be worth 250,000 gold ducats.

Ary this temple is of the Corinthian order, both without, and within. The bases are composed of the Attick, and of the Ionick. The capitals are carved in the manner of olive I leaves; the architraves, the frizes, and the cornices have most beautiful sacoma’s, or modern’s, and are with few intaglio’s.

In the thickness of the wall that compasses the temple, there are some voids made, that the earth-quakes may the less injure the fabrick, and to save both materials and expence.

This temple has in the fore part a most beautiful portico, in the frize of which these words are to be read:

Underneath which, that Is, in the fascia’s of architraves, in smaller letters, these other words are, which shew that the emperors Septimius SEVERUS, and M. Arras restored it, after it had been consumed by time.

IMP. CAES. SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS PIVS PERTINAX

ARABICVS PARTHICVS PONTIF. MAX. TRIB. POT.

XI. COS. II. P. P. PROCESS. ET IMP. CAES. MARCUS.

AURELIUS ANTONINUS PIVS FELIX AVG. TRIB. hat

POT. V. COS. PROCESS. PANTHEVM VETVSTATE

CVM OMNI CVLTV RESTITVERVNT.

IN the inward part of the temple there are, in the thickness of the wall, seven chapels with niches, in which there must have been statues; and between one chapel and the other there is a tabernacle, so that there are eight tabernacle.

It is the opinion of many, that the middle chapel, which is opposite to the entrance, is not antient, because the arch of it breaks some columns of the second order; but that in the christian time, after pope Boniface, who first dedicated this temple to divine worship, it was enlarged; as it was proper in christian times to have a principal altar greater than the others.

But, as I observe that it accompanies all the rest of the work very well, and that it has all its members exceedingly well wrought, I look upon it as certain, that it was also made at the time when the remainder of this edifice was erected.

This chapel has two columns, that is, one on each side, which project and are fluted; and the space that is between one flute und the other, is carved very neatly with an astragal. And because all the parts of this temple are very remarkable, and that the whole may be seen, IT have made ten plates of it.

In the first is the plan. The stairs that are seen on each side of the entrance lead over the chapel to a secret way, which goes quite round the temple, through which one goes out to the steps, in order to ascend up to the top of the edifice by some flairs that are round it.

That part of the edifice that is seen behind the temple, and is marked M, is part of the baths of Agrippa. In the second is half of the front forwards. In the third is half of the front under the portico. This temple has, as may be seen in these two plates, two frontispieces; the one of the portico, the other in the wall of the temple. Where the letter is, are some stones that come out a little: of what use these were | cannot imagine. Tue beams of the portico are all made of bronze. In the fourth plate is the elevation of the flank of the part without,

In the fifth is the elevation of the flank in the part within, Plate In the sixth are the ornaments of the portico, Plate D, is the sacoma of the ornaments made over the columns, and the pilasters in the

inward part of the portico.

In the seventh is part of the elevation of the inward part opposite to the entrance, where plate is to be seen how and with what ornaments, the chapels, and the tabernacles are disposed, and how the squares are comparted in the vault; which probably (by some vestigia that are there) were ornamented with silver plates. Because, if there had been any such ornaments of bronze, there is no doubt but those of the like fort, which (as T have said) are in the portico, would also have been taken away.

In the eighth, in a form somewhat larger, is designed one of the tabernacles in front, Plate with part of the chapels that are on the sides of it. IN the ninth are the ornaments of the columns, and of the pilasters of the inward part, Plate In the tenth are the ornaments of the tabernacles that are between the chapels; in which Plate the fine judgment of the architect is to be observed; who, to bind the architrave, the frize and the cornice of these tabernacles, (the pilasters of the chapels not being as much out from the wall as was necessary to contain the projection of that cornice) he only made the gola diritta, and the remainder of the members he converted into a fascia.

F, the design of the festoons that are on each side of the said door.

And with this temple let an end be put to the designs of the temples that are in Rome.