[Dustin Faulkner]

Hello:

I have seen the initials "SQVR" or "SVQR" (I think) on many Roman military items. I've seen them usually on unit standards or shields.

It occured to me I've never heard or read what these initials stand for and what they translate to in English.

These might not be the correct initials, but you might know what I mean.

Thanks you.

Please pardon my ignorance. The only Latin I know comes from the Coyote & Road Runner cartoons. I also know the phrases: "knightus medievalus very coolus" and "swordus longus sharpus."

[Timo Nieminen]

SPQR, Senatus Populus Que Romanus, Senate and People of Rome. Not just on military items, but all sorts of public/state items. Wikipedia has some stuff, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPQR, including modern variants, SPQ*.

[Matthew Amt]

It's actually not all that common on military gear, that I've seen. It's more for things like public documents or decrees, monuments, etc. Contrary to "Gladiator", it has no outwardly military connotations.

Valete,

Matthew