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Simple English definitions for legal terms
quaestor
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A quick definition of quaestor:
A quaestor was a person in ancient Rome who helped the leaders manage the public money. They did things like paying bills, collecting taxes, keeping track of debts and fines, and even organizing funerals for important people. The job was so important that it continued to exist for many years. In later times, a quaestor was also a person who collected money for the Pope by going door to door.
A more thorough explanation:
A quaestor is a type of magistrate in ancient Rome who was responsible for managing and administering public funds. They were subordinate to the consuls or provincial governors and performed various tasks such as making payments, receiving revenues, keeping accurate accounts, and financing burials and monuments of distinguished citizens.
For example, if a foreign ambassador needed accommodation, it was the quaestor's responsibility to supervise and ensure that their needs were met. Additionally, if a citizen of Rome passed away, the quaestor would finance their burial and monument if they were deemed distinguished.
The office of quaestor dates back to the beginning of the Roman Republic, and each year two quaestors were nominated by the consuls and later elected by the comitia tributa. As their numbers increased, so did their responsibilities.
It's important to note that the term "quaestor" was also used in later history to refer to an agent of the Pope who carried out certain tasks, such as collecting donations from door to door.