curator aquarum

The Curator Aquarum was a Roman official responsible for managing Rome's water supply and distributing free grain. Curators were appointed by the emperor. The first curator was Agrippa. Another notable Curator Aquarum was Frontinus, a Roman engineer. History Before the Curator Aquarum Censors managed the water supply. Emperor Augustus, as part of an initiative to develop new positions, established the position of Curator Aquarum. The purpose of this office was to maintain the water supply of Rome. Augustus appointed Agrippa as the first Curator Aquarum. Aggripa was curator from 33 to 12 BC. He used a slave force consisting of 240 imperial slaves and 40 freedmen. During his term, he built the Aqua Julia, repaired existing aqueducts, and established the Cura Aquarum. After the death of Agrippa, Messala Corvinus became the Curator Aquarum. Emperor Claudius increased the number of the staff to 460 men. Eventually this would increase to 700 men. Frontinus was also appointed as the Curator Aquarum by emperor Nerva. During the 2nd Century the Curator Aquarum largely escaped the historical record. However, during the reigns of Septimius Severus and Caracalla a new position called Curator Aquarum et Minuciae was established. Lucius Novius Rufius, who was the Governor of Hispania Citerior and a supporter of Clodius Albinus, a rival of Septimius Severus, held the position of Curator Aquarum et Minuciae. Roles and Powers