What is senatus populesque romanus?

Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR) is a Latin phrase that means "The Senate and the People of Rome." Senatus refers to the Senate, the political institution that played a vital role in Rome's governance during the Republic era. Populusque signifies the people of Rome, symbolizing the importance of civic participation in the management of the state.

This phrase is synonymous with the Roman Republic, which was the period between 509 BCE and 27 BCE when Rome was governed as a republic. The phrase first appeared on Roman coins during the Roman Republic era and was used extensively in Roman literature and official documents.

SPQR represents a unique social and political structure that provided the foundation for Rome's success. It occupied a crucial position in Roman society and symbolizes a sense of unity between the ruling class and the people. The SPQR emblem can still be found on many buildings and monuments in Rome today, underscoring its continued significance in Italian culture.