THE ROMAN PANTHEON

The Pantheon is a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to the
seven deities of the seven planets in the Roman state religion, but which has been a
Christian church since the 7th century. It is the best-preserved of all Roman buildings
and the oldest important building in the world with its original roof intact. It has been
in continuous use throughout its history. The original Pantheon was built in 27-25 BC
under the Roman Empire, during the third consulship of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa,
and his name is inscribed on the portico of the building. The inscription reads
MáAGRIPPAáLáFáCOSáTERTIUMáFECIT, "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius,
consul for the third time, built this." It was originally built with adjoining baths and
water gardens.