Note 1739 — Chapter X · THE PRINCIPATE
Reading edition
The practice first began in 38 B.C. (Dio Cass. xlviii. 43). Cf. Tac. Ann. xvi. 34 “Tum ad Thraseam in hortis agentem quaestor consulis missus.” They were selected by the consuls themselves (Plin. Ep. iv. 15, 8).