Pantheon


Pantheon


Pantheon, a temple in honour of all the gods, as the Greek word signifies.  The most celebrated edifice of this description is the one at Rome, which, built by Agrippa, the son-in-law of Augustus, exists to this day (Although the structure we see was rebuilt by Hadrian after a fire consumed the original building).  It also still retains the name of the Pantheon, and constitutes with its surperb portico, one of the most perfect as well as majestic remains of Roman antiquity.

Hadrian's building retains the original inscription of Marcus Agrippa "M AGRIPPA LF COS TERTIVM FECIT" which also appears on the coins of Agrippa with Neptune reverse

The term Pantheon or Panthea was also applied to statues or images, which bear the signs or symbols of several divinities united together.  Of those represented by medals the most remarkable is that on a con of Antoninus Pius, and of the younger Faustina, where at once are to be recognised Serapis by his modius or bushel; the Sun by his rays; Jupiter Ammon by his ram's horns; Pluto by his large beard; Neptune as indicated by the trident; Esculapius distinguished by the serpent twined around his staff.- Another medal, quoted by Tristan, exhibits a man with head veiled and body naked, who bears the weapons and attributes of Sol, Mercury, and Neptune.- Vaillant calls this kind of medals pantheon; and there is little doubt but that the spirit of Pagan superstition encouraged the design of rendering such figures portable, as representations of the Dei Lares, as Baudelot learnedly and forcibly contends.- These panthoens or their symbols are conjectured to be represented by certain types on coins of the Julia and Platoria families. (See Eckhel).


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