Quaestor

A quaestor (UK /ˈkwiːstər/, US /ˈkwɛstər/; also /ˈkwaɪ-/, /-stɔːr/;Latin pronunciation: [ˈkʷae̯stɔr], plural quaestores [kʷae̯sˈtoːreːs]) was a type of public official in the "cursus honorum" system who supervised the financial affairs of the state and conducted audits. In the Roman Republic a quaestor was an elected official, but in the Roman Empire, quaestors came to be simply appointed.

Today the term quaestor is used as a senior police rank in Italy and Romania, and as the title of an office of financial oversight in some organizations.

History

Origins

The earliest quaestores were the quaestores parricidii, an office dating back to the Kingdom of Rome. The quaestores parricidii were chosen to investigate capital crimes, and may have been appointed as needed rather than on a regular basis. Ancient authors disagree on the earliest institution of this office, with some dating it to the mythical reign of Romulus, and also on the exact manner of selection.

The word itself derives from the verb quaero, quaerere, meaning "to inquire", and the title quaestor has traditionally been understood as deriving from the original investigative function of the quaestores parricidii. Ancient authors, perhaps influenced by etymology, reasoned that the investigative role of the quaestores parricidii had evolved to include financial matters, giving rise to the similarly-named later offices. This connection has, however, been questioned by modern scholars.

Quaestor (University of St Andrews)

The Quaestor at the University of St Andrews, in Scotland, is a senior executive, member of the University Court and is responsible for the finances of the University; the equivalent of treasurer or Finance Director in other institutions.

They are a member of the Office of the Principal, and work under the direction of the University Principal who is chief executive of the University.

See also

Quaestor (disambiguation)

The term Quaestor can refer to any number of officials: