Final answer:
Coffers in the dome of the Pantheon serve both structural and symbolic purposes. They help reduce the weight of the structure and have potential cosmic significance, divided into 28 sections, a 'perfect number' in antiquity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coffers are the sunken panels in a ceiling, dome, or vault. In ancient Roman architecture, such as the Pantheon, they were a significant feature not only for adding a decorative element but also for a practical purpose. The Pantheon sports a magnificent coffered dome, constructed around 125 CE, which was integral to the structural integrity of this historical edifice.
The two primary purposes served by the coffers in the dome of the Pantheon are structural and symbolic. Structurally, the coffers worked to reduce the overall weight of the concrete dome without compromising its stability. Symbolically, the division of the dome's coffers into 28 sections corresponds to a 'perfect number' and might have held religious or cosmic significance in the ancient world, reflecting a connection to the cosmos and the divine order of the universe. Furthermore, the coffered design complemented the Pantheon's oculus, which allowed natural sunlight to enter the space and trace an ever-changing path across the interior, perhaps marking solar and lunar events or the passage of time.