Whether you’ve seen it on the streets of Rome or in the blockbuster Hollywood movie Gladiator, you are probably wondering what the acronym SPQR stands for? What does it mean? Well in this blog we will take at the Latin acronym SPQR.
Read more: What Does SPQR Mean?What does SPQR stand for?
SPQR is an acronym for Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, a Latin phrase referring to the government of the Roman Republic. Translated to English, Senatus PopulusQue Romanus means the Senate and the Roman People.
When was SPQR first used?
The exact date that SPQR was first used is not known, however, it begins to appear on inscriptions from around 80 BCE. It is possible that the concept emerged during the period that Rome was transitioning from a monarchy to a republic. The Senate, composed of Rome’s aristocratic elite, shared power with assemblies of the people, who represented the broader citizenry. This balance of power reinforced the notion that both the Senate and the people were integral to the governance of Rome.
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