1Ulpianus, On the Duties of Quæstor. The origin of Quæstor is very ancient, more so than that of almost any other magistracy. Gracchanus Julius, in the Seventh Book “On Authorities”, relates that Romulus himself, and Numa Pompilius had two Quæstors not appointed by themselves, but by the votes of the people; but even if doubt exists whether there was any Quæstor during the reigns of Romulus and Numa, it is certain that Quæstors existed during that of Tullus Hostilius; and, indeed, it is the prevalent opinion of ancient writers that Tullus Hostilius was the first to introduce Quæstors into the government of the commonwealth. 1Junius, Trebatius, and Fenestella deduced the origin of the word Quæstor from quæro (to seek). 2Some of the Quæstors were accustomed to draw lots for the provinces assigned by the decree of the Senate, which was also done under the consulate of Decimus Drusus and Porcina. All the Quæstors, however, did not obtain their provinces by lot, the candidates of the Emperor being excepted, for these were only employed in reading the Imperial Epistles in the Senate. 3At present, Quæstors are taken indiscriminately from patricians and plebeians; for the place is an entrance to, and, so to speak, the beginning of other offices, and confers the right to state one’s opinion in the Senate. 4There are some of these, as We have just stated, who are styled the candidates of the Emperor, and who read his Epistles in the Senate.