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2022
Rome
Having finally made it to Italy, I’m excited to share a few unplanned posts with you all. These will include additions from the Appian Way, basilicas, and even some more modern sights.
1
In Rome, the inscriptions of SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanus) can be spotted at every turn, even adorning sewer manholes. Interestingly, they vary in appearance, even when located on the same street.

For some historical context, here’s a quote from Wikipedia (thanks to @salvador_p_ for the insight): “During the regime of Benito Mussolini, SPQR was emblazoned on a number of public buildings and manhole covers in an attempt to promote his dictatorship as a ‘New Roman Empire’.”

Rome, Italy.

2
In Rome, if you keep a keen eye, you’ll encounter signs like this one dating back to the 18th century. It carries strict warnings against discarding garbage in that area and caution that violators may face monetary fines or even corporal punishment.

What truly piques my interest, however, is the carefree and vibrant Baroque interpretation of Roman capital letters seen in these signs. The numerals, in particular, are a source of curiosity, and there are even instances of punctuation marks embedded within the lettering.

Rome, Italy.

3
What strikingly condensed inscriptions, both in Greek and Latin, adorn the facade of the Church of Saint Athanasius in Rome.

Sant’Atanasio, Rome, Italy.


4
As we conclude our journey through Rome, let’s explore an inscription from the Pantheon. It appears to be a captivating fusion of Romanesque and Florentine sans serif styles. Notably, there are distinct variations in the shapes of letters like “E”, “O”, and “M” within this inscription. What’s particularly intriguing is the evolving character of the text, with a more Florentine style at the top and a shift towards Romanesque at the bottom.

Pantheon, Rome, Italy.