Symbols associated with Rome...?

Question

I guess anyone who's familiar with Rome will be able to answer this easily, I have tried using google but without success.

On a recent visit to Rome I noticed that wherever you went in the city there were certain symbols that kept recurring and I'm curious about them. The first I noticed was of course SPQR and I know about that already. The other two, I am still curious about;

1) the 8 pointed star ( 16-pointed when executed in 3-d) the most obvious example being the one directly below the cross, on top of the obelisk in St. Peter's square.

2) the symbol of five "loaf" like shapes arranged in a sort of pyramid form. I'm guessing they might represent hills but I thought there were seven hills?

Can anyone help me by explaining their significance? Or give me a link ?

Answer 1

celtic football club booo

Answer 2

So I have to know, what is SPQR? I was in Italy last year and kept seeing it myself. All I can find is that it means Senators and People of Rome. Is this correct? I'll check back to see if anyone knows about the others.

Wasn't Rome just the greatest!!!

Nik