Reviewed and Updated: October 19, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
Channel your inner warrior by getting an epic SPQR tattoo. Find the 10 best ancient roman SPQR tattoos curated just for you!
One of the most powerful civilizations in history, the ancient Roman Republic had an official seal that included the letters SPQR.
SPQR is an acronym for Senatus Populusque Romanus, meaning “The Roman Senate and People.” The seal has been found everywhere, including curries, public buildings and government-released documents.
The SPQR branding is a symbol of pride. Roman soldiers and gladiators wore SPQR tattoos to differentiate themselves from others. The SPQR character distinguishes a Roman from a barbarian. Even the slaves of the Roman Republic were branded SPQR to distinguish them from other slaves. Tattooing was practiced in ancient Rome, but SPQR was not a common tattoo among the soldiers, but a symbol for the masses, used politically when needed.
SPQR tattoos are in demand these days as Percy Jackson spread the iconic seal throughout pop culture. At Camp Jupiter, the symbol was burned onto a full member’s body as a permanent mark. We tried to find out what the SPQR tattoo means and the answer is that it represents pride and honor and is also a mark of a hardened warrior. It’s also popular with white supremacists, white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and other hate groups who portray themselves as warriors for a noble cause. You can use SPQR tattoos to send a message about fighting against social issues or political battles in general. Such tattoos are a great way to get something stylish and meaningful at the same time.
The Wolf and SPQR Tattoo sleeve
This tattoo depicts the iconic motto of the Roman Republic. It depicts a gladiator, who were ancient Roman fighters who fought humans or animals to entertain the king, standing in front of a coliseum with a sword. This tattoo sleeve will definitely inspire many people to get tattooed. We can also find a portrait of a wolf, also considered a symbol of the Roman Republic. Wolves also mean family, friendship and courage. These values were an integral part of the Romans. This makes it a badass and meaningful SPQR tattoo for everyone.
Roman army armor tattoo
This upper arm tattoo features a metallic shield with the letters SPQR on it. The shield also shows a Roman helmet and swords. The Roman army was one of the most powerful armies of antiquity. The shading work is impeccable as the shield’s surface and edges look realistic. The SPQR motto can also be seen on the shield. It was likely inspired by actual shields carried by the soldiers of Rome. This Roman SPQR tattoo idea makes a great medium sized arm tattoo.
The simple SPQR tattoo
Senatus Populusque Romanus, meaning “The Senate and People of Rome”, was the motto of ancient Rome. The abbreviation itself carries a lot of weight. If you like to keep things simple then this is one of the cleanest SPQR tattoo designs for you. Such tattoos keep the subject in focus without having too many elements. This bold SPQR idea is easy to execute and would make sense for both minimalist enthusiasts and tattoo beginners alike. Of course, the font and style can be changed after consultation with your tattoo artist. A really powerful and minimalistic tattoo in this list of SPQR tattoos.
The Portrait of Hercules Tattoo
Channel your inner Mary Beard and get this stunning paneled portrait tattoo of Hercules, the legendary hero of the Roman state. His popularity in Rome and the world is unmatched. His strength and status as the protector of Rome make him a figure worthy of a tattoo. Here we have inked a Hercules statue on the client’s skin. The artist practiced a lot and mastered his craft. You can see the amazing work and detail that brings life to this tattoo. Hercules represents everything the SPQR motto stands for and you can definitely add the initials around the tattoo if you like. If you want to get Roman tattoos, SPQR tattoo designs should surely make the cut.
The great dictator’s tattoo
How can you talk about Rome and not mention Julius Caesar? The great dictator played a crucial role in destroying the Roman Republic giving way to the Roman Empire. He was immortalized by Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar. Caesar led Rome to victory in the Gallic Wars and was a mighty and powerful leader. Tattooing statues is really difficult and it is an art form in its own right. A powerful contender for a SPQR tattoo idea, you can add the initials or the entire phrase “Senatus Populusque Romanus” under Caesar for a truly gorgeous sleeve SPQR tattoo.
The Percy Jackson logo tattoo
Rick Riordan created one of pop culture’s biggest storms when he fused teen drama with Greco-Roman mythology. The Percy Jackson books were international bestsellers and also made way for a film series. We see the logo in this SPQR tattoo, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. At Camp Jupiter, the SPQR logo was branded onto members’ skin, along with lines denoting the number of years the member spent at camp. Getting this tattoo means you are a hardcore Percy Jackson fan and it is also one of the simplest SPQR tattoo designs out there.
Roman Soldier SPQR Tattoo
We’ve all seen and loved the iconic armor of Roman soldiers. They were the backbone of their formidable legion and the reason Rome was a feared state. The Roman people were really proud of their warriors and gladiators. This is a tattoo depicting a full view of a Roman soldier brandishing a spear. The SPQR motto can be added in the background with the other texts. You can even add the Roman flag with the other designs. This is not a big tattoo and it can certainly be considered by someone who doesn’t want to have a big tattoo on their body.
A gladiator’s back tattoo
Show your bravery by getting this magnificent back tattoo of a gladiator arena. For SPQR tattoos, gladiator tattoo ideas are perfect as they are iconic and badass looking. This gladiator is fighting a lion in the coliseum. The moment is captured perfectly and posture and other details are well considered. Making tattoos is hard work and it certainly pays off when the result is this great. The Emperor of Rome and the Gladiator can also be seen overseeing the battle. The details in the tattoo are on point and it is a treat to look at. SPQR represents the bravery and greatness of Rome and the Roman legion and this tattoo idea shows just that.
The SPQR tattoo done in stained glass style
This is one of the cutest and smallest SPQR tattoo designs on this list. It’s a stained glass tattoo of the Colosseum. The sun rising in the background signifies the beginning of a new day, and together with the Colosseum signifies strength as the Colosseum has stood the test of time. We are in love with the color choices, how orange and yellow mix. The SPQR logo can be seen at the top of the tattoo. We also have a lilly flower at the bottom which is the symbol of purity. In the past, Romans would dress brides in lilies to symbolize a pure and wondrous life. This is a cute and colorful stained glass art style SPQR tattoo and such tattoos are perfect for newbies.
The Portrait of Maximus Tattoo
Gladiator is one of the most famous movies ever made in Hollywood. Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, is a character that will forever be inscribed in our hearts. In this SPQR tattoo, Maximus wears a helmet with a fierce and determined expression on his face. This is also like the Roman Soldier Tattoo (SPQR) that we mentioned earlier in this list. Despite being a fictional character, Maximus won the hearts of Romans and others around the world. This is a great tattoo to get on your body if you are a fan of the epic film. This is a sleeve SPQR tattoo which means it will require a lot of space and time so make sure you are mentally and physically prepared.
When you think of Rome, you automatically think of powerful figures, magnificent architecture and a legacy that transcends history. The Roman Republic was truly one of the most amazing civilizations on earth. Getting a classic tattoo inspired by ancient Rome will make you feel like royalty. SPQR was the motto of Roman society and has a special meaning when used in a Roman Empire tattoo. I hope this curated list has eased your decision-making process and given you the satisfaction of getting the SPQR tattoo of your dreams.
Featured image from Pinterest