The Italian scientist Eugenio La Rocca proved that the oculus in the dome of the Pantheon was used by the emperor Augustus instead of a theater spotlight.
Just imagine how impressed the audience was the picture of Emperor Augustus, illuminated by the sun's rays, like theatrical spotlights, exactly at the moment when he crossed the threshold of the temple!
Behind the scenes of a unique astronomical performance, Eugenio La Rocca, a historian and cultural watchman of the Roman commune, professor of the LaSapienza University of Rome and curator of the popular August exhibition in the stables of the Quirinale Palace (Scuderie del Quirinale), peered behind the scenes of a unique astronomical performance. He came to the conclusion that the spectacular show, designed by the first emperor of Rome, was well-developed, but was shown only one day a year. True, this date was not chosen by chance (in ancient Rome, no structure was built just like that). April 21, noon - a symbolic moment returning the participants to the birth of Rome, the foundation of the Eternal City at the command of Romulus.
Until today, the amazing dome of the Pantheon has not been fully explored and is shrouded in legends and mysterious facts related to the “oculus” - the only round window (9 meters in diameter) located in the center of the giant dome. And yet, the oculus has obvious archaeo-astronomical significance - La Rocca proved it again in his scientific work, using previously unknown archaeological discoveries. Presentation of the work entitled "August on the medieval Field of Mars" was held on March 5 at the Vallicelliana library during a special conference.
“The sun's rays passing through the oculus illuminated the walls of the temple, like real theater spotlights. Moreover, on certain days and hours they fell into certain niches, symbolizing various events and phenomena,” La Rocca says. “But it was April 21, the day the foundation of Rome, a pillar of light pointed to the Pantheon’s front door: exactly at noon, both in antiquity and now, the sun's rays hit the very center of the doorway. "
The recent excavations of an ancient staircase to the temple opposite the Pantheon testify to the connection of the solar phenomenon with Emperor Augustus: “Archaeological finds indicate that the Pantheon, rebuilt by Adrian, as we see it now, retained its orientation to the north. From the August building, it also remained and a monumental bronze door. Therefore, there are significant reasons to believe that the phenomenon with sunbeams existed even under Augustus. " Why was such a mise-en-scene needed?
La Rocca argues: "It was the political program of Augustus. He presented himself to the people, as the new founder of the city, a symbol of peace."
