The Possible 50ft Columns of the Pantheon Lost in Transit

Abstract

This paper investigates the transportation, labor, quarrying, and time expenses of the 50ft column shafts that possibly were ordered originally for the famous Pantheon in Rome, Italy. The Pantheon currently includes 40ft column shafts though there is evidence showing that it may have been meant for 50ft column shafts as other parts of the monument are set up as so for the insertion of it; for example, as seen when looking at the pediment, there is a second one three meters higher behind it, displaying that the pediment is thought to originally be supported by a larger portico, hence using larger column shafts. A plausible explanation for this is that the 50ft column shafts were the original choice, but were lost in transit while being transported from the quarries in Egypt to Rome. And due to the loss of such expensive labor costing components and likely imperial budget issues, there is an order of 40ft column shafts instead. Assuming that the explanation is true, calculations made using the works by those such as Wilson Jones, Simon Barker, Ben Russel, and Justin Leidwanger are found for comparisons, analyses, and conclusions. Through the evaluations and results, one can interpret the rather great effect the loss had on the entire project and the display of a sense of importance that the Pantheon has during the Hadrian reign and even now.