INTRODUCTION This particular task focuses in comparing and differentiating the style and function of the Pantheon and the Parthenon. As an introduction, in general, I wanted to gain an understanding go how architectural styles and the manner in which buildings’ characteristics and features are planned, designed, and constructed. Additionally, as I worked on this assignment I gained an understanding of role other elements of architectural style include play, such as the building materials, forming elements, methodology of construction, and of course the location in which a building is erected for political, social, economic, and/or militarily strategic reasons, among others.
CONSIDER HOW THE STYLE AND FUNCTION OF EACH BUILDING SERVES AS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF ITS CULTURE Insofar as the style of these two incredible buildings (Parthenon and Pantheon), they fall under the Greek architectural style. By my calculations, for approximately two thousand two hundred years, these two ancient giants of Greek architecture have influenced the mind, imagination, and the inspiration of many generations of builders--and their cultures--who have built parallel structures, in beauty and greatness, to that of the Parthenon and the Pantheon. From ancient times, one of the primary reasons for the inclusion of “style” in buildings of the caliber of the Pantheon and the Parthenon was the systematic and comprehensive approach to integrating unique characteristic features that made structures impressive and readily identifiable, while projecting a clear cultural sense. …show more content…
With that in mind, I’d suppose that one could deduct that the general style of these impressive architectural feasts, although at different time in Greek history, was the need for the projection of Greek achievements not only in the architectural arena, but in promoting also the Greek culture. For example, to most observers, it is fairly clear that the sense of majesty and power projected in the style of the Parthenon correlates with the, then, height of the Athenian empire (http:www.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Parthenon.html). This could only mean one thing: The style chosen for the design, as well as the related building materials, features, decorative elements, had to reflect not only a refined sense of Greek style and culture, but the Parthenon would also have to reflect a sense of power and invincibility. The style of the Pantheon, although “younger” than the Parthenon, was equally impressive and it also projected a cultural perspective of the Ancient Greek population. The more circular stylistic structure seems to indicate a higher level of cohesiveness and cooperation. This assumption can be supported by the fact that the Pantheon was built as a component “…of the complex created by…Martius in 29-19 BC, which included three buildings aligned from south to north…” The two other buildings accompanying the Pantheon were: the Baths of Agrippa and the Basilica of Neptune. According to Wikipedia (www.en.wikipedia.org/Pantheon_Rome), another stylistic feature of the Pantheon is its dome, which interestingly enough, even now, remains as the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. As far as function of each building, according to Harvard University’s “[O]n architecture, Volume II (http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674993099), the Pantheon’s original functionality has been uncertain; however, from about the 7th century forward it’s served as a church dedicated to the St. Mary and the Martyrs, also known as “Santa Maria Rotunda,” and subsequently as a tomb where high profile historical figures have been laid to rest. In this role, the Pantheon has serviced a mostly religious role and a historical one holding the remains of important citizens. On the other hand, the Parthenon, from its inception has been a sign or power and superiority, and its impressive relative and unique rectangular floor plan separated by different rooms, which served both political endeavors as well as economic needs of the ancient Greeks. HOW ARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME SEEN IN THESE TWO BUILDINGS? Invariably, the similarities between these two buildings include their incredible projection of achievement, self-confidence, and …show more content…
Another similarity is the fact that the Greek architectural style utilized in the construction of these two historical buildings, invariably, set the tone for many generations of builders who came after that generation and attempted to replicate these incredible architectural successes; even in modern times, one can see replicates, around the world, of buildings attempting to utilize some of the very same decorative effects and functionality of these ancient marvels of Greek
CONSIDER HOW THE STYLE AND FUNCTION OF EACH BUILDING SERVES AS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF ITS CULTURE Insofar as the style of these two incredible buildings (Parthenon and Pantheon), they fall under the Greek architectural style. By my calculations, for approximately two thousand two hundred years, these two ancient giants of Greek architecture have influenced the mind, imagination, and the inspiration of many generations of builders--and their cultures--who have built parallel structures, in beauty and greatness, to that of the Parthenon and the Pantheon. From ancient times, one of the primary reasons for the inclusion of “style” in buildings of the caliber of the Pantheon and the Parthenon was the systematic and comprehensive approach to integrating unique characteristic features that made structures impressive and readily identifiable, while projecting a clear cultural sense. …show more content…
With that in mind, I’d suppose that one could deduct that the general style of these impressive architectural feasts, although at different time in Greek history, was the need for the projection of Greek achievements not only in the architectural arena, but in promoting also the Greek culture. For example, to most observers, it is fairly clear that the sense of majesty and power projected in the style of the Parthenon correlates with the, then, height of the Athenian empire (http:www.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Parthenon.html). This could only mean one thing: The style chosen for the design, as well as the related building materials, features, decorative elements, had to reflect not only a refined sense of Greek style and culture, but the Parthenon would also have to reflect a sense of power and invincibility. The style of the Pantheon, although “younger” than the Parthenon, was equally impressive and it also projected a cultural perspective of the Ancient Greek population. The more circular stylistic structure seems to indicate a higher level of cohesiveness and cooperation. This assumption can be supported by the fact that the Pantheon was built as a component “…of the complex created by…Martius in 29-19 BC, which included three buildings aligned from south to north…” The two other buildings accompanying the Pantheon were: the Baths of Agrippa and the Basilica of Neptune. According to Wikipedia (www.en.wikipedia.org/Pantheon_Rome), another stylistic feature of the Pantheon is its dome, which interestingly enough, even now, remains as the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. As far as function of each building, according to Harvard University’s “[O]n architecture, Volume II (http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674993099), the Pantheon’s original functionality has been uncertain; however, from about the 7th century forward it’s served as a church dedicated to the St. Mary and the Martyrs, also known as “Santa Maria Rotunda,” and subsequently as a tomb where high profile historical figures have been laid to rest. In this role, the Pantheon has serviced a mostly religious role and a historical one holding the remains of important citizens. On the other hand, the Parthenon, from its inception has been a sign or power and superiority, and its impressive relative and unique rectangular floor plan separated by different rooms, which served both political endeavors as well as economic needs of the ancient Greeks. HOW ARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME SEEN IN THESE TWO BUILDINGS? Invariably, the similarities between these two buildings include their incredible projection of achievement, self-confidence, and …show more content…
Another similarity is the fact that the Greek architectural style utilized in the construction of these two historical buildings, invariably, set the tone for many generations of builders who came after that generation and attempted to replicate these incredible architectural successes; even in modern times, one can see replicates, around the world, of buildings attempting to utilize some of the very same decorative effects and functionality of these ancient marvels of Greek