In this work we are going to compare and to contrast the two famous historical monuments of ancient history – the Pantheon and the Parthenon.

We can not accept the Pantheon as a simple work of art, this is believed to be an original and symbolic structure of marble and cement. Very important questions about it are: whether it is a representation of ancient pagan religion or a presentation of the Christian faith and who influenced it more heavily – either Ancient Greeks or Romans. In reality it turns out to be impossible to classify the building so strictly and tight. “The Pantheon was (and is) a classic, syncretistic structure; bringing together ancient elements of art, religion, and architecture, yet possibly the most revolutionary creation of its time.” (2).


The Pantheon was created in Rome from 118-125 A.D., and was to serve as the end of enclosure of courtyard. It consists of columnar porch with the cylinder inside and a smooth dome on the top. The porch has the traditional eight columns, which could point to the influence of Greek architecture. But if to study the building closer, it becomes clear that it was as well influenced by Etruscan – actually because of one important Etruscan element – one entrance. Greek architecture is known for traditional four entrances. Tough another Etruscan element could be found in the front of the building – one single staircase.

The dome that dominates the interior is 43.30 meters or 142 feet in diameter. The oculus is 7.8 meters in diameter. The massive columns supporting the portico weigh 60 tons. Each was 39 feet (11.8 m) tall, five feet (1.5 m) in diameter and made from stone quarried in Egypt.

From the inside the building is decorated with cylinder and the inner dome, this brings the sense of space and regeneration.

When people look at the Pantheon from the outside they are not able to imagine the inner spatial magnificence of the inside Pantheon, from the outer side it seems to be constructed of two separate buildings, one building is sharp and the other seems smooth and cylindrical.

Most of the scientists suggest the main aim of the Pantheon as a religious one. If to translate the name of the Pantheon from Greek language it means “all gods” – this is also considered to be the main motive for building it. But in the 7th century the building was officially proclaimed to serve as a Catholic church by Boniface IV. Later on the works of art with Roman gods were taken away from the niches of the building and were replaced with the same works but presenting Christian gods.

The historians are not able to name the person who actually was the original designer of the Pantheon, but the main idea about it is that it was created by Emperor Hadrian, the ruler of Rome was known as a scholar, poet, sportsman and an architect as well, and who was actually borrowing ideas of design from past cultures.

Another work of art to which the Pantheon is often compared is the Parthenon, created in 447 -432 BA, when the Athenian Empire was at its height. The Parthenon “represents the tangible and visible efflorescence of Athenian imperial power, unencumbered by the depradations of the Peloponnesian War. Likewise, it symbolizes the power and influence of the Athenian politician, Perikles, who championed its construction.” (4).

The Parthenon is a Doric temple, it consists of rectangular floor, a lot of low steps and a colonnade of Doric columns around the entire structure. There are additional six columns by each entrance in front.

The aim of the temple was to replace the temples of Athena on the Acropolis, of one we are no more able to find traces and the other stood on the same place as Parthenon. The cult statue of the goddess was created by the architects (Iktinos and Kallikrates) and the sculptor (Pheidias). The name Parthenon refers also to the worship of Athena Parthenos, the ‘Virgin Athena.

In the metopes of the Parthenon we could see the struggle of the forces of justice and criminals. “On the west side, the mythical battle against the Amazons (Amazonomachy); on the south, the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs (Centauromachy); on the east, the battle between the gods and the giants (Gigantomachy); on the north, the Greeks versus the Trojans. Of the panels the best preserved are those showing the Centauromachy” (4).

The dimensions of the Parthenon were as follows: Stylobate: 30.88 m x 69.50 m; axial spacing external columns: 4.29 m fronts (3.68 m corners) and 4.29 m flanks (3.69 m corners); lower diameter exterior columns: 1.91 m (1.95 m corners); height exterior columns: 10.43 m; height entablature: 3.30 m.


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