The Pantheon (Rome, Italy — 126 AD) — Questions and answers

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What year was Emperor Hadrian's Pantheon masterpiece completed?

Choices

  1. 126 AD ✓
  2. 142 AD
  3. 1300 AD
  4. 80 AD

Answer: 126 AD

From page 1

What event in 80 AD inspired Hadrian to build a grander Pantheon?

Choices

  1. A new emperor came to power
  2. A great festival was held
  3. A devastating fire damaged the old Pantheon ✓
  4. Marcus Agrippa decided to rebuild

Answer: A devastating fire damaged the old Pantheon

From page 3

What kind of shape did Hadrian want for his new Pantheon, different from other temples?

Choices

  1. A square design
  2. A rectangular design
  3. A circular design (rotunda) ✓
  4. A triangular design

Answer: A circular design (rotunda)

From page 4

What was the main purpose of the oculus, the circular opening at the top of the Pantheon's dome?

Choices

  1. To let out smoke
  2. To let water in when it rained
  3. To connect worshippers to the heavens and let light in ✓
  4. To allow birds to fly in and out

Answer: To connect worshippers to the heavens and let light in

From page 5

How did Roman engineers make the Pantheon's dome lighter at the top?

Choices

  1. They used wooden beams
  2. They used lighter materials like pumice ✓
  3. They made the top thinner
  4. They painted it white

Answer: They used lighter materials like pumice

From page 6

What special feature did Hadrian plan so the Pantheon would act like a giant calendar?

Choices

  1. He put a clock on the wall
  2. He aligned it with the sun's path during solstices and equinoxes ✓
  3. He had a person announce the time every hour
  4. He carved dates into the floor

Answer: He aligned it with the sun's path during solstices and equinoxes

From page 7

What did Apollodorus of Damascus famously call the Pantheon's dome that made Hadrian angry?

Choices

  1. A majestic mountain
  2. A perfect circle
  3. A giant pumpkin ✓
  4. A beautiful cloud

Answer: A giant pumpkin

From page 8

What happened to the Pantheon in 609 AD that helped save it from destruction?

Choices

  1. It was turned into a museum
  2. It was used as a public market
  3. It was made into a Christian church ✓
  4. It was completely rebuilt

Answer: It was made into a Christian church

From page 9