The meaning of the lyrics of the song "SPQR" by the artist "This Heat"

The lyrics of the song "SPQR" by the British band This Heat use imagery and terminology from Ancient Rome to take a critical look at modern society, particularly Great Britain. The song draws parallels between the Roman Empire and the modern world, pointing out that many of the problems and contradictions inherent in Rome are still relevant today.

The song begins with the Latin conjugation of the verb "to love" - "Amo, amas, amat...". This technique immediately introduces the theme of collectivism ("we all"), but a collectivism built on power and submission, as the following text suggests.

The phrase "SPQR", which gives the song its title, refers to the motto of the Roman Republic and Empire: "Senatus Populusque Romanus" ("The Senate and People of Rome"). This motto symbolized the unity of the Roman state, but the song shows the other side of this unity: oppression and violence.

The lines "We affirm ourselves through property as power, / Slavery and freedom, royal purple - / Pax romana!" criticize imperialism and colonialism, which are often justified by the idea of "Pax Romana" - a Roman peace achieved through conquest and subjugation.

The image of the she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus, the brother founders of Rome who later became enemies, underlines the duality and contradictoriness of human nature.

The repetition of the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered") sounds like bitter irony, reflecting the cynicism and arrogance of power.

Thus, "SPQR" is a cautionary song that makes us think about the cost of progress and the consequences of the pursuit of power and dominance.