is very common to hear the phrase: "Rome conquered the world three times."If you know the essence of this statement, it becomes clear that it is true.First of all, the legions of Rome conquered the world, through continuous conquests.The second element, which requires many countries to be grateful ancient empire - it is a culture.Many states, after they captured Rome, quickly evolved and moved to a new level.Rome also gave mankind the right.From this we can conclude that this once great nation has left a significant mark in the history of the world.
What is Rome?
In ancient times there was the Roman Republic.It originated in the vast modern Italy, between three hills: Palatine, the Capitol and the Quirinale, where today is a modern city of Rome.Originally it was a city-state, as well as all the prominent countries of the time.
However, after a few centuries, when Rome has evolved to the size of a huge republic, its territory has increased significantly.To manage such a "political machine" needed a new form of government.Simple reign no longer fits.Therefore, the Romans have chosen the democratic form of government, which for many centuries was fixed on the standard of the republic in the form of the abbreviation SPQR.What does this expression is known to many, but it still causes a large amount of controversy for many years.
What does SPQR?
When scientists only began a serious study of ancient Rome, this abbreviation was identified with the state itself.A similar finding was true at the same time false because it is much more important has been invested in the abbreviation SPQR.Rome while playing the role of a grandparent of all its citizens.The most common indication was shown in the standard of foreign players.They also placed Aquila, which means "eagle" in Latin.Thus, the "Eagle" and was a symbol of the republic, and SPQR carries far greater significance.Abbreviation originated from saying: "The Senate and the citizens of Rome."This suggests more political than symbolic value SPQR.What does each letter of abbreviations, was found much later.
meaning of the letters SPQR
Saying mattered archaic, because, according to scientists, comes from the founding of Rome.There are many definitions of the abbreviations SPQR.Almost all of them mean the same thing: the greatness of Rome and its Senate.It underlines the fact that the citizens of the Republic were proud of their state system and thus made their unofficial symbol SPQR.Ancient Rome as its development has won numerous state and made them provinces, thereby emphasizing the greatness of the state and political system.
If parse each letter reduction SPQR, we obtain the following transcript, namely:
- Almost all writings of ancient Roman letter S stands for "Senate" or «Senatus» - in Latin.
- P - is short for «Populusque», «Populus», which means "people", "nation", "nation".
- most controversy is the letter Q. Many scientists argue about its value to this day.Some believe that the Q - an abbreviation of the word Qurites or in Russian "citizen".Others describe Q as an abbreviation of the word Quritium - «warrior with a spear."
- Letter R always stands for Romae, Romenus.Translated, it means "Rome."
study of each letter SPQR, which means "the greatness and power of Rome," helps us to understand the mentality of the ancient Romans, and their faith in their own state.
SPQR and modernity
Today, this symbolic abbreviation can be found almost everywhere.It is actively used during the Italian Renaissance.In modern Italy, the symbol is used as the emblem of the city of Rome.He is depicted on the posters, hatches and houses.
expression SPQR, which means "The Senate and the citizens of Rome", was used to image some scenes of Christ's Passion, to emphasize the presence of the Roman Empire in the events.
