The Pantheon

Visiting the best preserved Roman monument, the Pantheon, was amazing experience. Meaning "of all the gods," the circular structure of the Pantheon represents the Roman Empire's religious tolerance--a temple devoted to all the gods. Gods of territories conquered by Rome were often incorporated into the Pantheon. Statues to the planetary gods were originally in the Pantheon, although all traces of pagan gods were later removed by popes. The Pantheon was also originally higher up, as visitors had to climb stairs to enter. A perfectly proportioned building, the Pantheon was originally designed to lift the spirits of the visitors and emphasize the heavens, revealing the sophisticated and religiously tolerant nature of the Roman Empire.


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