Quaestor facts for kids

A quaestor (say "KWES-tor") was an important public official in Ancient Rome. Their jobs changed a lot over time. At first, during the Roman Kingdom, quaestors helped the king investigate serious crimes. Later, in the Roman Republic, they managed the government's money and checked its accounts. This was often the first job someone took if they wanted to become a politician. In the Roman Empire, the quaestors' role changed again. They became special advisors to the emperor, helping with important meetings and requests from the public.

Today, in countries like Italy and Romania, a quaestor is a high-ranking officer in the police force. In other groups, a quaestor might be in charge of money, much like a treasurer.

Quaestors in the Roman Republic

During the Roman Republic, the quaestor was the lowest official job in the government. It was often the first step for young men who wanted to have a career in politics.

Managing Public Money

The main job of a quaestor in the Republic was to look after the state's money. They were like the government's accountants and treasurers. They made sure public funds were used correctly.

They also helped with audits, which means checking financial records to make sure everything was honest and accurate. This was a very important job for the Roman government.

Quaestors and the Army

Some quaestors worked with the Roman army. They would manage the money for military campaigns. This included paying soldiers and buying supplies. They made sure the army had what it needed to fight.

A First Step in Politics

Because it was the lowest official job, many young Romans started their political careers as quaestors. It was a way to gain experience and show they could handle responsibility. If they did well, they could move on to higher positions in the government.

Quaestors in the Roman Empire

When the Roman Empire began, the role of the quaestor changed. At first, some of their jobs were taken over by other officials called praefectus (prefects).

Advisors to the Emperor

Later, quaestors became special officials chosen by the emperor. They worked closely with the emperor, often leading important meetings of the imperial council. They also helped deal with requests from people across the empire.

This new role was very different from managing money. It was more about advising the emperor and helping him govern.

Images for kids

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  Ruins of the Temple of Saturn, where the Roman treasury was kept, in the Forum.

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  The ruins of the Tabularium, built in 78 BC, which was the state record office.

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  Cato the Younger was a quaestor in 64 BC and was known for being very honest.

See also

In Spanish: Cuestor para niños