SPQR

See also the SPQR series of murder mystery novels and the SPQR board game.

Modern coat of arms of Rome

SPQR is an initialism for the Latin phrase Senatus Populusque Romanus. The translation is "The Roman Senate and People." An alternate Latin phrase translation is Senatus Populusque Romae. The translation is "The Senate and People of Rome."

It was emblazoned on the standards of the Roman legions and was the official name of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. It also appears in the coat of arms of the present-day city of Rome, and appears on most civic buildings as well as many manhole covers in the city.

Roman manhole cover with SPQR inscription

Several versions are suggested about the correct meaning of the initialism, depending on the presumed declination of "R"; Romanus ("Roman People") and Romæ ("People of Rome") are the most common. Senatus Populusque Romanus is the version given on Trajan's Column.

Parodies

A more humorous meaning of the initialism is the Italian phrase "Sono pazzi questi Romani", which translates into "These Romans are crazy". It is often used by the Italian translations of the comic book character Obelix. Another humorous, yet puerile, meaning is "Small Profits, Quick Returns."