Quaestor

Quaestor, title of a magistrate of ancient Rome. The earliest quaestors had judicial powers, but as the finances of Rome increased in complexity, two quaestors were appointed by the consuls to control the public treasury. After 447 bc the quaestors were elected annually by the legislative body known as the comitia tributa. In 421 bc the office was opened to the plebeians (common people) and the number of quaestors was raised to four. As the Roman Republic gained control of Italy and more provinces were acquired, additional quaestors were elected as financial assistants to the military commanders and provincial governors. Under Julius Caesar in the 1st century bc, there were 40 quaestors. The Emperor Augustus later reduced the number to 20, the usual number for the duration of the Roman Empire.