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Overview of the Quaestor
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Length of service:
Officer holders: Minimum age: Duty: |
1 year
Ranged between 2-20 30 Overseeing all matters in relation to the state treasury and finances |
Origins of the quaestor
During the time of the Kingdom of Rome quaestors were appointed as judges, especially in the cases of overseeing legal matters in murder cases. This changed by the time of the Roman Republic and legal matters fell to praetors instead, while quaestors were tasked with running the state treasury and keeping account for all expenditures and revenues. The office of quaestor was usually the first step on Rome's political hierarchy, the cursus honorum. This position gave individuals the experience they needed to progress up the hierarchy and was a crucial starting position. Elected quaestors were virtually always patricians, as those responsible for the voting were from Comita Tributa (Assembly of the People) and thus Rome's aristocracy themselves.
After serving as a quaestor one would then be allowed to sit in Rome's Senate where an ambitious man would then begin his political journey. As it was only a low ranking position quaestors were only granted one lictor, or civil servant, to accompany them - whereas a consul had 12. Quaestors would serve directly underneath consuls and provincial governors, depending on whether they stayed in Rome or were appointed into offices in the Republic's many territories. If they were serving in the provinces it was not uncommon to be drafted into a military role as well, depending on whether Rome was at war and how important the conflict twas.
In terms of numbers, there were initially only two quaestors, this was raised to four in 420 BC and increased again to 10 in 267 BC. As Rome acquired new provinces, more quaestors would be needed, especially as the military expeditions of Rome required careful financial calculating. Sulla increased the number from 10 to 20 in 81 BC and implemented a minimum age requirement of 30 for patricians and 32 for plebeians wishing to run for election.
After serving as a quaestor one would then be allowed to sit in Rome's Senate where an ambitious man would then begin his political journey. As it was only a low ranking position quaestors were only granted one lictor, or civil servant, to accompany them - whereas a consul had 12. Quaestors would serve directly underneath consuls and provincial governors, depending on whether they stayed in Rome or were appointed into offices in the Republic's many territories. If they were serving in the provinces it was not uncommon to be drafted into a military role as well, depending on whether Rome was at war and how important the conflict twas.
In terms of numbers, there were initially only two quaestors, this was raised to four in 420 BC and increased again to 10 in 267 BC. As Rome acquired new provinces, more quaestors would be needed, especially as the military expeditions of Rome required careful financial calculating. Sulla increased the number from 10 to 20 in 81 BC and implemented a minimum age requirement of 30 for patricians and 32 for plebeians wishing to run for election.
Duties of the quaestor
The prime duty and responsibility of the quaestor was to oversee all matters in relation to the state treasury, both incoming and outgoing finances as well as spending on public projects and Rome's military. Their base of operations was the Temple of Saturn which is where the actual treasury was located.
In addition to general finances, quaestors often found themselves serving directly under consuls in the field of battle, acting as a personal secretary. While serving in this situation a quaestor would allocate plunder from battles amongst officers and troops as well as sending some back to Rome to swell the coffers of the state treasury.
In addition to general finances, quaestors often found themselves serving directly under consuls in the field of battle, acting as a personal secretary. While serving in this situation a quaestor would allocate plunder from battles amongst officers and troops as well as sending some back to Rome to swell the coffers of the state treasury.
Post-Republic
The position of the quaestor remained largely unchanged for much of the time following the collapse of the Roman Republic. However late in the Empire the Emperor Constantine I transferred judicial and legal powers to the quaestor. Now their prime designation was to advise the Emperor in legal matters as well as creating laws.