QUAESTOR
quaestor (kwes-t<<schwa>>r orkwees-t<<schwa>>r), n. [Latin] 1.Roman law. A magistrate,
subordinate to the consuls or provincial governors, who maintained and administered the public
money, performing tasks such as making necessary payments, receiving revenues, keeping
accurate accounts, registering debts and fines, supervising the accommodation of foreign
ambassadors, and financing the burials and monuments of distinguished citizens. 2.Hist. An agent
of the Pope who carried quaesita from door to door. — Also termed quaesitor; quaestionarius. See
QUAESTA. Pl. quaestores. — quaestorial,adj. — quaestorship,n.
“The office of quaestor goes back at least to the beginning of the Republic. Each year two
quaestors were nominated by the consuls, later elected by the comitia tributa, to assist the consuls
in matters of finance. This continued to be their principal concern, but they enlarged their
functions as their numbers increased.” R.W. Lee, The Elements of Roman Law 15 (4th ed. 1956). [Blacks Law 8th]