Note 1119 — Chapter IX · THE COMITIA CURIATA
Reading edition
The consuls proposed the curiate law for the quaestors; Tac. Ann. xi. 22. That these inferior officials required the law is further indicated by Cic. Phil. ii. 20. 50. For the lower functionaries in general, see Gell. xiii. 15. 4. The agrarian rogation of Servilius Rullus provided that the praetor should propose the law for the decemviri agris adsignandis required for the administration of his measure; Cic. Leg. Agr. ii. 11. 28.
That the magisterial helpers who were in need of the curiate law included not only the quaestors but also the lictors seems to be indicated by Cic. Rep. ii. 17. 31: “Ne insignibus quidem regiis Tullus nisi iussu populi est ausus uti. Nam ut sibi duodecim lictores cum fascibus anteire” (the remainder of the sentence is missing). Dion. Hal. ii. 62. 1 ascribes the introduction of the lictors to Tarquin the Elder. This curiate law, however, may not be thought of by Cicero and Dionysius as a mere sanction, but rather as a legislative act which called the lictors into being; cf. Mommsen, Röm. Staatsr. i. 372, n. 1, 613, n. 1.