Quaestor

A quaestor (UK: /ˈkwiːstər/, US: /ˈkwɛstər/) was a public official in Ancient Rome. A quaestor did different jobs at different times in Roman history. In the Roman Kingdom, quaestors were appointed by the king to investigate murders. In the Roman Republic, quaestors supervised the state treasury and conducted audits. It was the lowest ranking position in the public service. Because of this many people wanting to become politicians became quaestors as a first step in their career. In the Roman Empire, quaestors were at first relaced by the praefectus (prefect). Later quaestors became a position appointed by the emperor to lead the imperial council and deal with petitioners.

In modern Italy and Romania, a quaestor is a senior ranking officer on the police force. In some organizations, a quaestor is in charge of the finances, similar to a treasurer in other organizations.

Quaestor Media

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  Ruins of the Temple of Saturn, the location of the aerarium, in the Forum at the foot of the Capitoline Hill in Rome.

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  The repurposed ruins of the Tabularium (behind the fragmentary ruins of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus at right) constructed in 78 BC near the aerarium as the state record office.

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  Cato the Younger served as one of the urban quaestors in 64 BC, during which he acquired a reputation for stern honesty.

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  The extent of the Roman Republic and its provinces on the eve of Caesar's assassination in 44 BC.