The quaestors were junior, annually elected magistrates of the Roman state. Their primary duties were financial, though these could come in many forms depending on the specific assignment.
Münzer, Broughton, and others have provided a variety of identity options for the Q. Fabius who is mentioned at Val. Max. 2.7.3. Some attribute a quaestorship to this Fabius whereas others have been more skeptical. This paper seeks to explore the issue more fully so as to better illustrate the process by which magisterial attributions are made as well as to offer an alternative account to that which is commonly accepted in the post-Broughton era. * I am indebted to Prof. C. J. Smith, Drs J. Serrati and D. Bloy, and Mr A. McAuley as well as to SHT's two blind-reviewers for reading this piece at various stages of its development. Their observations and suggestions, particularly with regard to the most current archaeological discoveries, were of immeasurable help. Any errors remain my own.
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