Download The Roman Pantheon: The History and Legacy of Rome's Famous Landmark AudioBook Free
From as early as the third century BCE, the Romans were prodigious monument contractors, so much so that the memory of the fantastic Roman Republic and the Roman Empire continues to exist in a cityscape of natural stone. Rome's public spots were filled with statues, arches, temples, and many other types of monumental images, and each of these structures had its civic or spiritual function. At the same time, most were embedded with stories, information, and symbolism in order that they also tended to function as propaganda. These monuments allowed the leading citizens of Rome, especially its emperors, to sculpt their own self-image and embed themselves and their most remarkable deeds in to the very composition of the Roman city. As the utmost completely conserved building of the Imperial Roman capital, the Pantheon signifies the top of Imperial monument building at Rome. It really is no coincidence that the Pantheon was built during the zenith of the Roman Empire's ability and wealth; as with most civilizations, this era of exceptional commercial and politics activity was symbolized by large-scale building. In this admiration, the Pantheon is a visual sign of the greatness of the Roman Empire, and therefore, it captivates all who have been privileged enough to behold it. Michelangelo declared the building to be of "angelic rather than human being design", while Goethe stated to be "overwhelmed with admiration" for the composition. As the sublime nature of the Pantheon's design is definitely readily apparent, no person has ever been able to determine precisely what the composition was supposed to indicate or even how it was built. Stepping in to the Pantheon's soaring, curved interior is itself enough to make anyone feel insignificant in comparison, and this feeling is only reinforced by the elusiveness of its interpretation and design. In a way, however, the fact that the Pantheon seems doomed to be permanently shrouded in unknown only serves to improve its captivating beauty.
