On This Day

Pope Boniface I turns the Pantheon in Rome into a Catholic church

The Pantheon (UK: , US: ; Latin: Pantheum, from Ancient Greek Πάνθειον (Pantheion) '[temple] of all the gods') is an ancient 2nd century Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church called the...

The Pantheon (UK: , US: ; Latin: Pantheum, from Ancient Greek Πάνθειον (Pantheion) '[temple] of all the gods') is an ancient 2nd century Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church called the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs (Italian: Basilica Santa Maria ad Martyres) in Rome, Italy. It is perhaps the most famous, and architecturally most influential, rotunda.

The Pantheon was built on the site of an earlier temple, which had been commissioned by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC–AD 14). After the original burnt down, the present building was ordered by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated c. AD 126.

Historical Significance

The Pantheon (UK: , US: ; Latin: Pantheum, from Ancient Greek Πάνθειον (Pantheion) '[temple] of all the gods') is an ancient 2nd century Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church called the Basilica of St.

Events Before

  1. Boniface III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Boniface III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  2. 12th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

    12th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

  3. Comet 1P/607 H1 (Halley) approaches within 0.0898 AUs of Earth

    Comet 1P/607 H1 (Halley) approaches within 0.0898 AUs of Earth

  4. Ono no Imoko is dispatched as envoy to the Sui court in China (Traditional Japanese date: July 3, 607)

    Ono no Imoko is dispatched as envoy to the Sui court in China (Traditional Japanese date: July 3, 607)

  5. Saint Boniface IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Saint Boniface IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope

Events After

  1. Traditional date of Laylat al-Qadr / Night of Power when Muslims believe the Quran is first sent down from heaven to the

    Traditional date of Laylat al-Qadr / Night of Power when Muslims believe the Quran is first sent down from heaven to the world and revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad

  2. Heraclius' fleet takes Constantinople

    Heraclius the Elder was a Byzantine Roman general and the father of Byzantine Roman emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641).

  3. Forces from Maya city Calakmul invade and conquer the neighbouring city of Palenque, holding it as a vassal state for fi

    Forces from Maya city Calakmul invade and conquer the neighbouring city of Palenque, holding it as a vassal state for five years

  4. BC Fall of Nineveh to the Babylonians and the forces of Medes, leads to the sack of one of the greatest cities in the wo

    BC Fall of Nineveh to the Babylonians and the forces of Medes, leads to the sack of one of the greatest cities in the world, the destruction of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and the death of King Sinsharishkun [date approximate]

  5. Saint Boniface IV's reign as Catholic Pope ends

    Pope Adeodatus I (570 – 8 November 618), also called Deodatus I or Deusdedit, was the bishop of Rome from 19 October 615 to his death on 8 November 618.

More from the 600s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 13, 609?
The Pantheon (UK: , US: ; Latin: Pantheum, from Ancient Greek Πάνθειον (Pantheion) '[temple] of all the gods') is an ancient 2nd century Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church called the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs (Italian: Basilica Santa Maria ad Martyres) in Rome, Italy. It is perhaps the most famous, and architecturally most influential, rotunda.
Why is Pope Boniface I turns the Pantheon in Rome into a Catholic church significant?
The Pantheon (UK: , US: ; Latin: Pantheum, from Ancient Greek Πάνθειον (Pantheion) '[temple] of all the gods') is an ancient 2nd century Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church called the Basilica of St.

Explore More