The symbolic use of light in Hadrianic architecture and the 'Kiss of the Sun'

Abstract

In this presentation we will discuss three Roman monuments of the times of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD): the Villa Adriana at Tivoli near Rome, the Mausoleum of Hadrian in Rome (now Castel Sant'Angelo) and finally the Pantheon (also in Rome). In all of them we see luminous phenomena which occur only in few set days during the year; they correspond to astronomical events such as the Solstices or other important dates of the Roman calendar. As we will see, this did not happen by chance and had a precise symbolic meaning. Also, we will explain why there are no written sources about Roman oriented buildings and their illuminations, producing an ancient and rare documentation: the description of the "Kiss of the Sun".

Keywords

• archaeoastronomy
• pantheon arc of light
• hadrian's villa
• mausoleum of hadrian
• roman religion
• roman calendar
• emperor hadrian
• pontifex maximus
• solstice
• roccabruna