Procuratores – imperial agents or curators’ assistants?

Resumen

For the first time procuratores aquarum were nominated by Emperor Claudius. Their main task was to help curators to perform their duties. Together with them, prosecutors supervised the distribution of public water in Rome. In fact, the real purpose of establishing the office of procuratores aquarum was to exercise control over the activities of curatores aquarum. This was due to Claudius’ attempt to limit the role of the Senate whose representatives held the procuratores offices. However, Frontinus in his treatise De aquaeductu urbis Romae as a rule accused them of fraud and various abuses they committed during the mandate. This shows that Claudius’ aim for this office was not fully realized. Procuratores were more likely to be remembered as public water thieves than curators.