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Which of these is not a possible meaning of the Pantheon in Rome as rebuilt by Hadrian?

a) Dedicated to the seven planetary gods
b) Honors the emperor's relationship to his predecessors
c) Relates to the structure of the cosmos as understood at the time
d) Designed for Christian worship

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Pantheon in Rome, rebuilt by Hadrian, was not originally designed for Christian worship but was dedicated to the pantheon of Roman gods, symbolizing the Roman empire's cosmos order and possibly serving as a dynastic sanctuary reflective of ruler cults.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pantheon in Rome, as rebuilt by Hadrian, was not designed for Christian worship. This structure, a product of the Roman use of concrete, is an iconic building dedicated to the pantheon of Roman gods, symbolizing the Roman ambition for cosmos or order both in the heavens and within the empire. The Pantheon's dedication to all the gods (pan = all, theos = gods) indicates its religious and imperial significance, particularly as a possible dynastic sanctuary linked to ruler cults. It is also suggested that the Pantheon honored Hadrian's predecessors, thus reflecting the history of Roman imperial authority and divine cosmos. However, at the time of its construction in the early second century, it was not conceived as a place of Christian worship; that significance came later when the Pantheon was repurposed for Christian use in the 7th century.

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