Final answer:
The Pantheon's composition and geometry reflect Hadrian's period's ideas of cosmic order and imperial authority. Recent scholarship suggests Trajan may have initiated its construction in the 110s. The building's symbolism involves divine authority, with the dome and oculus emphasizing this aspect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The composition and geometry of the Pantheon are a reflection of the ideas and values during Hadrian's period, signifying the Roman ambition of bringing order to the gods and reflecting divine cosmos. Scholars like Lise Hetland argue that the Pantheon may date back to Emperor Trajan's reign based on brick stamps from the 110s, suggesting a reevaluation of the building's origin. Its program and symbolism might encompass the power and authority of the emperors, as indicated by the presence of statues in the niches and the large-scale court gatherings by Hadrian himself.
The inscription on the frieze has traditionally been associated with Marcus Agrippa, but new interpretations suggest it signifies Hadrian's rebuilding of the Pantheon. The architecture, specifically the rotunda and the oculus, is steeped in symbolism, potentially representing the heavens and divine authority. The uncertainty surrounding the Pantheon's true designer, with some attributing it to Apollodorus despite a lack of concrete evidence, adds to the enigma of the monument.
One of the most striking features of the Pantheon is its dome, which, in the fourth century CE, aligned with the divine authority of the emperors, as statues occupied niches in the rotunda where gods' statues once stood. The substantial evidence now suggests that Hadrian did not solely oversee the design but may have completed a project started under Trajan. This hypothesis pushes the field of art history to prioritize evidence over traditional style categories and historical periodizations.