INTERPRES

an interpreter. This cla of persons became very numerous and nece ary to the Romans as their empire extended. In large mercantile towns the interpreters, who formed a kind of agents through whom busine was done, were sometimes very numerous. All Roman praetors, proconsuls, and quaestors, who were entrusted with the administration of a province, had to carry on all their official proceedings in the Latin language, and as they could not be expected to be acquainted with the language of the provincials, they had always among their servants [ Apparitores ] one or more interpreters, who were generally Romans, but in most cases undoubtedly freedmen. These interpreters had not only to officiate at the convent us [ Convent us ], but also explained to the Roman governor everything which the provincials might wish to be laid before him.