The best maintained Roman temple from antiquity is the Pantheon. It stands on the site where, according to legend, Rome’s founder Romulus was called into heaven by Mars, the god of war. The Greek word pantheon means “honor all gods.” The first version was built for Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC. After being destroyed by fire in 80 AD, Emperor Domitian had it rebuilt. Lightning claimed most of the structure three decades later. The current version was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian and finished in 126 AD. Notice the 16 Corinthian columns supporting the portico. They measure 39 feet tall, five feet wide and weigh 60 tons each. Most impressive is the gray granite imported from an Egyptian quarry.
