This is the inscription from the base of Trajan's Column in Rome, the foundation of modern typography (from the plaster cast in the British Museum). The lettering was probably set out with a flat brush, the end of each stroke flared slightly to create a 'serif'. The style achieved a perfection of clarity, each letter distinct from the others, optimised for large scale public inscriptions. The text contains many abbreviations - expanded it reads:
"The Senate and people of Rome dedicate this to the emperor Caesar, son of the divine Nerva, Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus, pontifex maximus, in his 17th year in the office of tribune, having been acclaimed 6 times as imperator, 6 times consul, the Father of Fathers, to demonstrate of what great height the hill was and place that was removed for such great works."
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgaw/427714161/in/pool-502617@N24/