ARGYROTAM´IAE
ARGYROTAM´IAE (
ἀργυροταμίαι), magistrates found only in Greek inscriptions of
the Roman period. They appear to have been native financial officers in the
provinces; and their title distinguishes them from the
ταμίαι, the Roman quaestors. We find them belonging to the
people (
δήμου,
C. I. G. 2787), to the
φύλαρχοι (3773), to the
πόλις
(3958), to the general assembly (
κοινὸν) of
Asia (2782). The
ἀργυροταμίας referred to
in this inscription is in every way connected with the high priest of Asia.
We learn that at Athens the
ἀργυροταμίας
had the duty of selling up mortgages (
ὑποθῆκαι), and received from the olive-growers the statement of
the amount of their crop (354, 355). It appears to have been an
extraordinary office at Aphrodisias, as it is more than once mentioned after
ἀρχαὶ καὶ λειτουργίαι (2787, 2817).
A man at Tralles (2930) held the post after being
δεκάπρωτος, and before being
curator
Romanorum (cf. Mommsen-Marquardt, 4.213 and 20). In Apamea
Cibotus they carry out the consecration of the empresses decreed by the
senate and people of the municipality (3958, 3959). In an inscription found
near Damascus (4500), they appear to have given their name to the year.
[
L.C.P]
