All over Rome, from inscriptions at the bases of statues to the ground beneath your feet, you will see the letters SPQR.

SPQR stands for Senatus Populus Que Romanus or senatus populusque Romanus – either way it is all Latin – the Roman Senate and the People. It was the Roman equivalent to stamping your national brand on something.

Today you will still see SPQR on manhole covers as well as on ancient statuary. It may be that in Ancient Rome the populus referred to members of the military and their families. But the letters today stand for Rome and her people.  Let’s take a look at some contemporary Romans who comprise populus Romanus.

All hail Rome.

When in Rome, dog walking is popular

Cesare smiled at me as I hurled myself across Via del Corso – he was spectacularly unimpressed when I asked if I could take his photo, but what a fabulous face

Gladiators

Area Sacra, Rome

Dario was born in Rome and has never left it – he is a magician who also reads tarot cards on via del Corso

Musicians in Piazza di Spagna

Even priests are cool in Roma!

People watching at St Peter’s