THE STORY OF EUROPE. 99

 

The Pantheon is the best preserved tem-
ple of ancient Rome now in existence.
Eighteen centuries ago it was the admira-
tion of the world. Its portico still stands,
and is considered a marvel of beauty and
an exceedingly fine specimen of Roman
Art.
when Christians triumphed over the bloody

It was built as a Pagan Temple, but

persecutions of paganism, and overturned
all the old altars of the Roman world, it

 

was converted into a Christian Church and
used as such for many years, but is to-day
the burial place of many noted dead. Here
we saw the tomb of the great artist, Raph-
ael. Here, too, lie the remains of Victor
Emanuel, the adored of the majority of
Italians to-day. The tomb is fairly smoth-
ered by floral wreaths not only from the
city of Rome but from many powerful

nations as well.

 

 

PANTHEON—ROME.