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Unsigned article on p222 of

William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.:
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875.

CALCULA′TOR (λογιστής) signifies a keeper of accounts in general, but was also used in the signification of a teacher of arithmetic; whence Martial (X.62) classes him with the notarius or writing-master. The name was derived from calculi, which were commonly used in teaching arithmetic, and also in reckoning in general. [Abacus.] Among the Greeks the λογιστήςº and γραμματιστής appear to have been usually the same person.

In Roman families of importance there was a calculator or account-keeper (Dig. 38 tit. 1 s7), who is, however, more frequently called by the name of dispensator or procurator, who was a kind of steward (Cic. ad Att. XI.1; Plin. Ep. III.19; Suet. Galb. 12, Vesp. 22; Becker, Gallus, vol. I p109).


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