Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/233

The Roman Empire at its Height 163 Thebes they would see buildings constructed thousands of years before Rome was founded. On these mountains we can see today the names and comments these tourists scribbled on the stone. 259. Civilization in the West. In the western Mediterranean civilization was a new thing. In that age western Europe had for INTERIOR VIEW OF THE DOME OF THE PANTHEON BUILT AT ROME BY AGRIPPA AND HADRIAN The first building on this spot was erected by Agrippa, Augustus's great minister. But it was completely rebuilt, as we see it here, by Hadrian. The circular hole in the ceiling is thirty feet across ; it is one hundred and forty- two feet above the pavement, and the diameter of the huge dome is also one hundred and forty-two feet. This is the only ancient building in Rome which is still standing with walls and roof in a perfectly preserved state. It is thus a remarkable example of Roman skill in the use of concrete (260). At the same time it is one of the most beautiful and impressive domed interiors ever designed the first time been building cities, under the guidance of Roman architects, and their buildings looked like those at Rome. We can still visit and study massive bridges, spacious theaters, imposing public monuments, sumptuous villas, and luxurious public baths a line of Roman ruins stretching from Britain through southern