The Pantheon is the best preserved building from ancient Rome. Scholars believe that it was built between 118 and 125 A.D. by emperor Hadrian to replace Marcus Agrippa’s original Pantheon which burned to the ground in 80 A.D. This is why the inscription at the front of the building reads, “Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius, having been council three times made it”. Before the current Pantheon was built, there was another earlier Pantheon build in the same location by Domitian which also burned down in 110 A.D., making this building the third of its kind. Although its exact original purpose is unknown, this building is thought to have been a temple to the gods, but now serves as a christian church. A reason that the Pantheon is thought to have survived in such incredible condition is due to its conversion into the church of St. Mary of the Martyrs in 608 A.D. The Pantheon demonstrates the genius of Roman architects and contains the tombs of the Italian monarchy (from 1870-1946 A.D.) and Italian artist Raphael.
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