Letters SPQR can be seen on many monuments, buildings and banners. They mean Senatus Populusque Romanus, meaning “Roman Senate and People”. These words were a symbol of Roman identity and official name of the Roman Empire. Abbreviation SPQR, until the eagle’s image became popular, served as the state emblem.
It is also possible that the SPQR shortcut was also tattooed on the Roman legionaries’ arms. SPQR appeared on the coins of the period of the Republic, on the banners of the legions and monuments.
The abbreviation was still used during empire times.
