SPQR

You’ve probably seen those SPQR signs all over Rome. It’s the motto of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire as well. It stands for “Senatus populusque romanus,” meaning “The Senate and People of Rome.” Legend has it that the acronym actually comes from the Sabines, standing for “Sabinis Populis Quis Resistet,” that is, “Who can defeat the Sabines?”. Well, the Romans did and then proudly claimed the acronym as their own. Then again, if you’ve read Asterix, you probably read SPQR as “Sono pazzi questi romani,” meaning “Those Romans are crazy!”. If you’ve seen Gladiator, then you’ll recall the protagonist’s ‘SPQR’ tattoo that he tried to scratch off with the sharp end of a seashell. These 4 letters were once a symbol of Roman political power and are still a cherished emblem of the city today. The acronym is still part of Rome’s coat of arms, and you’ll find it literally everywhere, from buildings and manholes, to the names of clubs, restaurants, sports clubs and more.