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A new theory has been released about the nature of the oculus, the circular-shaped hole in the ceiling of the Pantheon in Rome. Researchers have found that the disc of light that is cast inside the structure hits exactly on the entrance at noon on the Spring equinox. The practical purpose of this would have been to cast a spotlight on the emperor as he enters.[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/OCULUS_IN_THE_PANTHEON.JPG/500px-OCULUS_IN_THE_PANTHEON.JPG[/img]OCULUS IN THE PANTHEON [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], by Photographed by: Per Palmkvist Knudsen (Photographed by: Per Palmkvist Knudsen), from Wikimedia CommonsWithout knowing more about this theory, it sounds quite convincing. The Romans were quite interested in relationships between light, status, and views in their patrician houses and so the design of the Pantheon sounds like an extension of this pre-existing idea. As the article suggests, since the Pantheon was dedicated to "all gods", illuminating the emperor as he entered the building would have placed him on the same level of the deities. Intriguing, those Romans!
I agree with this theory. I read something about Hadrian a while back about him being into the sun gods more (?) than previous emperors which is why he built it like this.
I'm trying to find the source where I read this. I do not think it had much to do with Apollo or Antinous. Those seem to be a result of his admiration of Greek religion. With the Parthenon, I believe it had something to do with his deifying the city of Rome.
…Hadrian saw himself as a divinely inspired poet, with an avid interest in Hellenic culture, especially literature, music and architecture – so much so that his contemporaries snidely called him “the Greekling.” One possible source is herehttp://www.monolithic.com/stories/the-pantheon-rome-126-ad
There are two examples I know of off-hand where sunlight was used for great effect. First, an obelisk (taken from Egypt) was used as a gnomon for a giant sun dial, I believe during Augustus' reign. Second, in the traditional patrician domus, the paterfamiliars would ideally be framed by a window leading out into the garden during the daily salutatio ritual. This would have helped to cement his elevated status as a patron to those entering his house.
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