:); 46L
From the way in whic: la
s, as well as from other att
led to conclude that aber is
& first-cousins.
From the way in whic: la
s, as well as from other att
led to conclude that aber is
& first-cousins.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
C.
i.
33,
they entreated him to take the supreme command 53, 68, 80-91, 97, 103, 108-115 ; Aurel. Vic.
shortly after his arrival in the city. As he refused de Vir. IU. 63 ; Oros. v. 18, 28 : Plut. Mar. 42,
to comply with their request, numbers deserted to Crass. 6, Sertor. 12—27; Liv. Epit. 84, 91, 92 ;
the enemy ; and finding it impossible to hold out Vell. Pat. ii. 15, 28—30 ; Dion Cass. xxvii. 37 ;
against Marius and Cinna, he left the city and Plut. Caes. 7 ; Cic. pro Arch. 4, 5, 10, pro Planc.
went to Africa. Here he collected a considerable 29, pro Cluent. 8, pro Balb. 2, 22 ; Ascon. in Cic.
force and was joined by Crassus, who had also fied Corn. p. 60, ed. Orelli. )
thither from Spain, but they quarrelled and sepa- 20. Q. CAECILIUS Q. F. Q. n. METELLUS CELER,
rated shortly afterwards. In B. C. 84 Metellus consul B. C. 60, was son of Nepos, consul B. c. 98.
was defeated by C. Fabius, one of the Marian (No. 16. ] The latter was most probably his father,
party. He therefore returned to Italy, and re- but his descent has given rise to much dispute.
mained in Liguria ; but hearing of the return of Cicero and Asconius both call Metellus Celer the
Sulla from Asia in the following year (B. C. 83), he frater of the younger Metellus Nepos (No. 21),
hastened to meet him at Brundisium, and was one and Asconius states that the latter was the son of
of the first of the nobles who joined him. In the the elder Nepos (No. 16), the grandson of Balea-
war which followed against the Marian party, ricus (No. 7), and the great-grandson of Macedo-
Metellus was one of the most successful of Sulla's nicus (No. 5]. (Cic. ad Fam. v. 1, 2; Ascon. in
generals. Early in B. c. 82, Metellus gained a Cornel. p. 63. ) From the way in which Celer
victory over Carrinas, near the river Aesis in speaks of Nepos, as well as from other circum-
Umbria, defeated shortly afterwards another divi- stances, we are led to conclude that they were
sion of Carbo's army, and finally gained a decisive brothers and not first-cousins. The only difficulty
victory over Carbo and Norbanus, near Faventia in this supposition is, that they both bear the prae-
in Cisalpine Gaul.
nomen Quintus ; but the ingenious hypothesis of
In B. c. 80, Metellus was consul with Sulla Manutius (at Cic. l. c. ) removes this difficulty.
himself. In this year he rewarded the services of He supposes that the elder Nepos (No. 16) may
Calidius, in obtaining the recall of his father fronı have had two sons, one called Quintus and the
banishment, by using his influence to obtain for other perhaps Lucius : that the latter, the subject of
him the praetorship. In the following year (B. C. this notice, was adopted by the Q. Metellus Celer,
79), Metellus went as proconsul into Spain, in who is mentioned by Cicero as one of the orators
order to prosecute the war against Sertorius, who in B. c. 90, and that he received in consequence the
adhered to the Marian party. Here he remained praenomen Quintus and the cognomen Celer. Ma-
for the next eight years, and found it so difficult nutius further supposes that after the death of the
to obtain any advantages over Sertorius, that not | elder son Quintus, the wife of Nepos bore him is
## p. 1061 (#1077) ##########################################
METELLUS.
1061
METELLUS.
the aria i
opslar mitt
Meie es at
3 vittat et
in gerak, de
eatest ceados
this defeat, an
to defy L. 12
ke bad act be
Tiends in 2. 272
ed to Rome in the
on the other
of those who
C. Corse. He
be ras secrete
in & C. 63. dan
or at the end of the
Godowed closely in the
ve him, be was a seat
of the aristocet;
were very conscada
ale general, and he was
bis troops tə the
carried on in Spain ;
sonal character cette
de general disse repeater
nd astr, he iniuud bis
which he bestowed pe
& His conduct a de
ent, and the statisde ha
dius, are especial, desert
i
third son, to whom he again gave the names of cracy that Cicero calls him “egregius consul" ;
Quintus and Nepos. This supposition accounts and although he did not at first oppose the adop-
not only for the two brothers bearing the same tion of Clodius into a plebeian family, apparently
praenomen, but also for the younger, and not the not attaching much importance to the matter, yet
elder, having the cognomen of his father.
as soon as he perceived that Clodius was resolved
In B. C. 66, Metellus Celer served as legate in to favour the views of the democratical party, Me-
the army of Pompey in Asia, and distinguished tellus opposed his plans to the utmost of his power.
himself by repulsing an attack which Oroeses, king Clodius was the first-cousin of Metellus, being the
of the Albanians, made upon his winter-quarters. son of his father's sister, and likewise the brother
He returned to Rome before Pompey, and was of his own wife ; but he did not allow this family
praetor in B. C. 63, the year in which Cicero was connection to produce any change in his political
consul. Like the other members of his family he conduct. As a war threatened to break out in
distinguished himself during his year of office by a Gnul, the senate determined that the consuls should
warm support of the aristocratical party. He pre- draw lots for the provinces of the Gauls; but Me
vented the condemnation of C. Rabirius by re- tellus did not leave Rome this year, nor apparently
moving the military flag from the Janiculum, as the next. In B. C. 59, the year of Caesar's consul-
has been already narrated in the life of Caesar ship, he took a leading part in the opposition to
(Vol. I. p. 541). He co-operated with Cicero in the agrarian law of Caesar, but in vain. He died
opposing the schemes of Catiline ; and, when the in the course of the same year, so unexpectedly,
latter left the city to make war upon the republic, that it was suspected that he had been poisoned by
Metellus had the charge of the Picentine and Se- his wife Clodia, with whom he lived on the most
nonian districts. By blocking up the passes he unhappy terms, and who was a woman of the ut-
prevented Catiline from crossing the Apennines most profligacy. The character of Metellus has
and penetrating into Gaul, and thus compelled him been sufficiently indicated in the preceding sketch
to turn round and face Antonius, who was march- of his life : he was one of the great leaders of the
ing against him from Etruria In the following aristocracy, but did not possess either sufficient in-
year, B. C. 62, Metellus went with the title of pro- fluence or sufficient genius to cope with such men
consul into the province of Cisalpine Gaul, which as Caesar and Pompey. His oratory is spoken of
Cicero had relinquished because he was unwilling favourably by Cicero, and was more adapted to the
to leave the city. Although Metellus and Cicero popular assemblies than to the courts. (Dion Cass.
had been thus closely connected, yet he was ex- xxxvi. 37, and libb. xxxvii. xxxviii ; Sall. Cut.
ceedingly angry when the orator attacked his 57 ; the passages of Cicero in Orelli's Onom. Tull.
brother Nepos, who had given him, however, abun- vol ii. p. 107. )
dant provocation. (See below, No. 21. ) The 21. Q. METELLUS, Q. F. Q. N. METELLUS
letter which Celer wrote to Cicero on this occasion Nepos, brother of the preceding, and son of the
is still preserved, and is very characteristic of the elder Nepos (No. 16). In B. C. 67 he served as
haughty aristocratical spirit of the family. Cicero's legate of Pompey in the war against the pirates,
reply is very clever. (Cic. ad Fam. v. 1, 2. ) and was still with him in Asia in B. C. 64. In
In B. C. 61, Metellus was consul elect, and by B. C. 63 he returned to Rome, in order to become a
his personal influence prevented the celebration of candidate for the tribunate, that he might thereby
the Compitalia, which a tribune of the plebs was favour the views of Pompey. The aristocracy,
preparing to celebrate in opposition to a senatus- who now dreaded Pompey more than any one else
consultum. Towards the end of the year he took in the state, were in the utmost consternation. They
an active part in conjunction with M. Cato, and brought forward M. Cato as a rival candidate, and
others of the aristocracy, in resisting the demands succeeded in carrying his election, but were unable
of the publicani, who petitioned the senate to to prevent the election of Metellus likewise. Me-
allow them to pay a smaller sum for the farm- tellus entered upon his office on the 10th of De-
ing of the taxes in Asia than they had agreed to cember, B. C. 63, and commenced his official career
give. Their request was accordingly refused, but by a violent attack upon Cicero, whom he looked
was subsequently granted, in B. C. 59, by Caesar, upon as the main support of the existing order of
who brought forward a bill in the comitia for the things. He openly asserted that he who had con-
purpose. In B. C. 60, Metellus was consul with demned Roman citizens without a hearing ought
L. Afranius, who was a creature of Pompey, and not to be heard himself, and accordingly prevented
had been raised to this dignity by Pompey's in- Cicero from addressing the people on the last day
fluence. Pompey was anxious to obtain the ratio of his consulship, when he had to lay down his
fication of his acts in Asia, and an assignment of office, and only allowed him to take the usual oath,
lands for his soldiers ; but Afranius was not a man whereupon Cicero swore that he had saved the
of sufficient ability and energy to be of much ser- On the 1st of January, B. C. 62, Cicero at-
vice to him, and Metellus thwarted all his plans, tacked Metellus with great bitterness in the senate,
since Pompey, and not Caesar, was generally re- and two days afterwards Metellus replied to hin
garded at that time as the most formidable enemy with equal bitterness, upbraiding him with his low
of the aristocracy. It was this opposition which origin, denouncing him as a tyrant for condemning
drove Pompey into the arms of Caesar, and thus Roman citizens to death unheard, and threatening
prepared the downfall of the republic. So resolute him with an impeachment. Stung to the quick,
was the opposition of Metellus to the agrarian law Cicero published an oration against him, entitled
of the tribune L. Flavius, which he brought for- “Metellina,” of the nature of which the second
ward in order to provide for Pompey's veterans, Philippic will probably give us the best idea. Sup-
that the tribune had him dragged to prison ; but ported by Caesar, who was anxious, above all
even this did not frighten Metellus, and the law things, to drive Pompey to an open rupture with
was in consequence abandoned. He acted with the senate, Metellus brought forward a bill to
such energy and decision in favour of the arisio- sunimon Pompey, with his army, to Rome, in order
IS
ed the son of Sapiolais
quence Metellus Pins RIU
9. 64; Appian, B. Com
103, 108–115 ; due: F2
isF. 18, 28; Plat Hata
-27; Liv. Ep 84, 55, 56;
-30; Dion Case ;
pro Arci, 4, 5, 10 pro Plan
to Balb. 2,9; Ascia i la
relli)
Q. F. Q. x. METELLES CILIK
is son of Nepos
, consul 36
ter was most probably is de
Das given rise to Each dinote,
ius both call Metellus Cesare
anger Metelius Nepos (Nacy
les that the latter was de
(No. 16), the grandson of list
id the great-grandson of Vance
(Cic as Fan. r. I.
:); 46L
From the way in whic: la
s, as well as from other att
led to conclude that aber is
& first-cousins. The only ceny
ion is that they both bear the past
1; but the ingenious branches de
Cic
. Lc. ) remores this erat
that the elder Vepos (Na 11
3 y 3
state.
sons, one called Quinta sody
Lucius: that the latter
, the sale or
as adopted by the 4. Meteiglect
tioned by Cicero as obe af te
und that he received in ceaseplats
Quintus and the cognomen led by
ler supposes that after the deatz des
uintus, the wife of Nepos ben biztos
## p. 1062 (#1078) ##########################################
1062
METELLUS.
METELLUS.
Berate;
of which the
tending there
for
1
preserve the i
Kcandalous ta
1. $ 8) is a s
(E. c. 51) &
of Septen. ber
sideration that
in the follow
considered ra
against Caesi
provinces in
liate on
were resolver
appeared for
warm. y seci
proposed in
26 +9, tha:
certain das,
state ; and
Q. Cassius,
Scipio urged
refused to i
cotisequence
the city, ai
kenate. In
was made a
lot of Scipio
His conduct
the blackest
be suffered
inhabitants
title of imp
to restore peace and protect the citizens from arbi- | little more than a servant of Pompey, and according
trary punishment. Parties were in the state of the to his bidding at one time opposed, and at another
highest exasperation : on the day on which the bill supported Cicero. (App. Mithr. 95; Flor. iii. 6;
was to be brought forward, Cato attempted to pre-Joseph. Ant. iv. 2. § 3, B. J. i. 6. & 2 ; Plut. Cat.
vent its being read, but was driven out of the Min. 20 ; Dion Cass. xxxvii. 38–51, xxxix. 1-7,
forum by force. He soon, however, returned, sup- 54; Plut. Caes. 21; the passages of Cicero in
ported by a large body of the aristocracy; and this Orelli's Onom. Tull. vol. ii. p. 107, &c. )
time the victory remained in their hands. Metellus 22. Q. CAECILIUS, Q. F. METELLUS Pius
was obliged to take to flight, and repaired to Scipio, the adopted son of Metellus Pius (No. 19).
l'ompey : the senate proposed to deprive him of He was the son of P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica,
liis office, and according to some accounts actually practor B. c. 94, and Licinia, a daughter of the
did so.
orator L. Crassus, and was a grandson of P. Corne-
Metellus returned to Rome with Pompey, and lius Scipio Nasica, consul B. c. lll, and Caecilia, a
was raised to the practorship in B. C. 60. " In this daughter of Metellus Macedonicus. Through his
year he brought forward a law for the abolition of grandmother he was therefore descended from the
the vectigalia in Italy; and the senate, out of hatred family of the Metelli, into which he was subse
to Metellus, attenipted to call the law by the name quently adopted. Before his adoption he bore the
of some other person. In the following year he names of P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, and hence his
appears not to have gone to a province, but to have name is given in various forms. Sometimes he is
remained in Rome. In B. c. 57 he was consul called P. Scipio Nasica, sometimes Q. Metellus
with P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther. Cicero, Scipio, and sometimes simply Scipio or Metellus.
who had been banished in the preceding year, and His full legal name. as it appears in a senatus con-
whose friends were now exerting themselves to sultum (Cic. ad Fam. viii. 8), is the one given at
obtain his recall, was greatly alarmed at the elec- the commencement of this notice. Appian erro-
tion of Metellus, since he was one of his bit-neously gives him the praenomen Lucius. (B. C.
tercst personal enemies. But since Clodius had | ii. 24. )
offended both Pompey and Caesar, and the latter Metellus is first mentioned in B. c. 63, when he
was anxious to mortify and weaken the power of is said to have come to Cicero by night, along with
the demagogue, Metellus, out of respect to them, M. Crassus and Marcellus, bringing with them
suppressed his feelings towards Cicero, and an- letters relating to the conspiracy of Catiline. In
nounced in the senate on the 1st of January, that B. C. 60 he was elected tribune of the plebs, but
he should not oppose his recall from exile. Cicero was accused of bribery by M. Favonius, who had
wrote to him to express his gratitude (ad Fam. v. failed in his election, and was defended by Cicero.
4), and in subsequent speeches he frequently He was tribune in B. c. 59, and was one of the
praises his moderation and magnanimity. At the college of pontiffs before whom Cicero spoke re-
same time the friends of Cicero at Rome seem to specting his house in B. c. 57. In the latter year
have had some suspicions of Metellus ; but he was he exhibited gladiatorial games in honour of his
eventually induced, very much by the influence of deceased father, Metellus Pius. In B. c. 53 Scipio
his relative, P. Servilius, to give a hearty support was a candidate for the consulship along with Plau-
to Cicero's friends, and in the month of September tius Hypsaeus and Milo, and was supported by the
the orator was at Rome. But almost immediately | Clodian mob, since he was opposed to Milo. The
afterwards we again find Metellus on the other candidates had recourse to the most unblushing
side, and in the month of November using his bribery, and to open violence and force. The
efforts to obtain the aedileship for Clodius. most frightful scenes were daily occurring in the
In B. c. 56 Metellus administered the province streets of Rome ; and these disturbances were
of Nearer Spain. Either before he left Rome or secretly fomented by Pompey, who was anxious to
soon afterwards Metellus had quarrelled with be named dictator, for the purpose of restoring
Clodius, and this enmity naturally led to a recon- order to the city, and thereby possessing the power
ciliation with Cicero, to whom he writes in appa- which might enable him to crush Caesar, of whom
rently cordial terms (ad Fam. v, 3). In the he had now become jealous. The comitia could
month of April he repaired, with many other dis- not be held for the election of consuls ; and when
tinguished Roman nobles, to Caesar's winter the murder of Clodius at the beginning of the fol-
quarters at Luca, doubtless with the view of lowing year, B. C. 52, threw the state almost into
obtaining the prolongation of his command. On anarchy, the senate consented that Pompey should
his return to Spain he made a sudden and appa- be elected sole consul. This took place at the end
rently unjustifiable attack upon the Vaccaei, whom of February; and shortly afterwards he married
be defeated ; but in the following year (B. C. 55) Cornelia, the daughter of Scipio, to whom he showed
they took the town of Clunia from him, and ad- particular favour. Hypsaeus and Scipio were both
vanced with such considerable forces that Metellus accused of bribery ; but though both were equally
dared not attack them. Metellus seems to have guilty. the former only was condemned. On the
returned to Rome in the course of this year, and to Ist of August Pompey made Scipio his colleague in
have died in the same year, as his name does not the consulship ; and Scipio showed his gratitude
occur again. In his testament he left Carrinus by using every effort to destroy the power of
(probably the consul of B. c. 43) the heir of all his Caesar and strengthen that of Pompey. He was
property, passing over all the Metelli and likewise all the more ready to exert himself in Pompey's
the Claudii, with whom he was so nearly connected favour, since the latter was now obliged to enter
(Val. Max. vii. 8. $ 3. ) Metellus did not adhere into a close connection with the aristocratical party,
strictly to the political principles of his family. He to which Scipio belonged, for the purpose of crush.
did not support the aristocracy, like his brother ; | ing his rival. One of the first acts of Metellus
nor, on the other hand, can he be said to have after his appointment to the consulship was to bring
been « leader of the democracy. He was in fact forward a law restoring to the censors the powers
His exactio
leled: new
the inbabit
every part
there was
maranding
account 23
they had 1
kind of
op
money and
up
bis win
province du
attack of
following
plunder the
Teceived a
his troops.
Grecies
donian and
oppose Sci
i
them, acco
fil. 36–38
by other
B. C. ü. 6
join Pompe
obliged Ca
Caesar.
rissa, and
the comma
success, th
quarrel wit
the spoil;
which desc
Abenobart
the office o
held. The
prospects.
## p. 1063 (#1079) ##########################################
METELLUS.
1063
METELLUS.
AG
senate.
ele
1
of which they had been deprived by Clodius, in- centre of the Pompeian troops, and was opposed by
tending thereby to expel Caesar's friends from the his old adversary, Domitius Calvinus.
senate ; for that he was actuated by no desire to After the loss of the battle of Pharsalia, Me-
preserve the purity and morality of the body, the tellus fled, first to Corcyra and then to Africa,
scandalous tale related by Valerius Maximus (ix. where it was hoped that the army of Attius Varus
1. $ 8) is a sufficient proof. In the following year and the assistance of Juba, king of Numidia, might
(B. c. 51) Scipio proposed in the senate on the 16t restore the fallen fortunes of the Pompeian party.
of September that the senate should take into con- Through the influence of Cato, Scipio obtained the
sideration the Gallic provinces on the 1st of March supreme conimand, as being of consular rank,
in the following year ; but as this proposition was much to the chagrin of Varus, who laid claim to it.
considered rather too open a declaration of hostility As soon as Scipio had received the command, ho
against Caesar, it was decreed that the consular attempted to destroy the important town of Urica,
provinces in general should be brought before the in order to gratify Juba, and it was with difficulty
senate on that day. When stronger measures that Cato prevented him from doing it. His con-
were resolved upon by the aristocracy, Scipio again duct in Africa scems to have been as oppressive as
appeared foreniost in urging their adoption. He it had been in Syria ; in every direction he plun-
warmly seconded the consul Lentulus when he dered the inhabitants and laid waste the country.
proposed in the senate at the beginning of January, At length Caesar landed in Africa, at the end of
B. C. 49, that Caesar should dismiss his armıy by a December, B. C. 47, and in the month of April in
certain day, or else be regarded as an enemy of the the following year, B. C. 46, he defeated Scipio aud
state ; and when the tribunes, M. Antonius and Juba at the decisive battle of Thapsus. Scipio
Q. Cassius, placed their veto upon the decree, immediately fled to the sea, and with a small
Scipio urged on matters to an open rupture, and squadron of ships steered first for Utica ; but,
refused to listen to any overtures of peace. The learning from Caio that there would be no security
consequence was that the two tribunes fled from for him there, he put out to sea, intending to sail
the city, and Caesar took up arms against the over to Spain. Contrary winds, however, obliged
In the division of the provinces, which him to put back to Hippo Regius, where he fell in
was made a few days afterwards, Syria fell to the with the fleet of P. Sittius, who fought on Caesar's
lot of Scipio, who hastened thither without delay. side. His small squadron was overpowered ; and,
His conduct in the province is drawn by Caesar in as he saw that escape was impossible, he stabbed
the blackest colours (B. C. iii. 31, 32). Although himself and leaped into the sea
he suffered some loss in an engagement with the Scipio never exhibited any proofs of striking
inhabitants of Mount Amanus, he assumed the abilities either in war or in peace; and the pro-
title of imperator, and had it struck upon his coins. minent part which he played in these stormy times
His exactions and extortions were almost unparal- was chiefly owing to his high connections, being a
leled: new taxes of all kinds were imposed upon Scipio by birth, a Metellus by adoption, and, by
the inhabitants ; Roman officers were sent into the marriage of his daughter, the father-in-law of
every part of the province to collect them; and Pompey. The love of country and the freedom of
there was scarcely a village which escaped their the republic (the watch words with which he
marauding visits: they plundered on their own fought against Caesar) were a mere sbam ; he was
account as well as on account of their general ; and only anxious to obtain for himself and his party
they had the fullest licence given them for every the exclusive possession of the offices of the state
kind of oppression. After collecting large sums of and of the provinces, that they might realise fortunes
money and a considerable body of troops, he took to gratify their love of luxury and pomp. In
up his winter-quarters at Pergamum, leaving his public, Scipio showed himself cruel, vindictive, and
province quite unprotected and exposed to a fresh oppressive ; in private, he was mean, avaricious,
attack of the Parthians. At the beginning of the and licentious, even beyond most of his contem-
following year, B. C. 48, he was preparing to poraries. A striking instance of his profligncy is
plunder the temple of Diana in Ephesus, when he given in the tale related by Valerius Maximus,
received a summons from Pompey to join him with which has already been referred to. (Plut. Cic. 15;
his troops, as Caesar had already crossed over to Dion Cass. xl. 51, xliii. 9; Appian, B. C. ii. 24, 25,
Greece. Caesar sent Domitius Calvinus into Mace-60, 76, 87, 95–100; Caes.
they entreated him to take the supreme command 53, 68, 80-91, 97, 103, 108-115 ; Aurel. Vic.
shortly after his arrival in the city. As he refused de Vir. IU. 63 ; Oros. v. 18, 28 : Plut. Mar. 42,
to comply with their request, numbers deserted to Crass. 6, Sertor. 12—27; Liv. Epit. 84, 91, 92 ;
the enemy ; and finding it impossible to hold out Vell. Pat. ii. 15, 28—30 ; Dion Cass. xxvii. 37 ;
against Marius and Cinna, he left the city and Plut. Caes. 7 ; Cic. pro Arch. 4, 5, 10, pro Planc.
went to Africa. Here he collected a considerable 29, pro Cluent. 8, pro Balb. 2, 22 ; Ascon. in Cic.
force and was joined by Crassus, who had also fied Corn. p. 60, ed. Orelli. )
thither from Spain, but they quarrelled and sepa- 20. Q. CAECILIUS Q. F. Q. n. METELLUS CELER,
rated shortly afterwards. In B. C. 84 Metellus consul B. C. 60, was son of Nepos, consul B. c. 98.
was defeated by C. Fabius, one of the Marian (No. 16. ] The latter was most probably his father,
party. He therefore returned to Italy, and re- but his descent has given rise to much dispute.
mained in Liguria ; but hearing of the return of Cicero and Asconius both call Metellus Celer the
Sulla from Asia in the following year (B. C. 83), he frater of the younger Metellus Nepos (No. 21),
hastened to meet him at Brundisium, and was one and Asconius states that the latter was the son of
of the first of the nobles who joined him. In the the elder Nepos (No. 16), the grandson of Balea-
war which followed against the Marian party, ricus (No. 7), and the great-grandson of Macedo-
Metellus was one of the most successful of Sulla's nicus (No. 5]. (Cic. ad Fam. v. 1, 2; Ascon. in
generals. Early in B. c. 82, Metellus gained a Cornel. p. 63. ) From the way in which Celer
victory over Carrinas, near the river Aesis in speaks of Nepos, as well as from other circum-
Umbria, defeated shortly afterwards another divi- stances, we are led to conclude that they were
sion of Carbo's army, and finally gained a decisive brothers and not first-cousins. The only difficulty
victory over Carbo and Norbanus, near Faventia in this supposition is, that they both bear the prae-
in Cisalpine Gaul.
nomen Quintus ; but the ingenious hypothesis of
In B. c. 80, Metellus was consul with Sulla Manutius (at Cic. l. c. ) removes this difficulty.
himself. In this year he rewarded the services of He supposes that the elder Nepos (No. 16) may
Calidius, in obtaining the recall of his father fronı have had two sons, one called Quintus and the
banishment, by using his influence to obtain for other perhaps Lucius : that the latter, the subject of
him the praetorship. In the following year (B. C. this notice, was adopted by the Q. Metellus Celer,
79), Metellus went as proconsul into Spain, in who is mentioned by Cicero as one of the orators
order to prosecute the war against Sertorius, who in B. c. 90, and that he received in consequence the
adhered to the Marian party. Here he remained praenomen Quintus and the cognomen Celer. Ma-
for the next eight years, and found it so difficult nutius further supposes that after the death of the
to obtain any advantages over Sertorius, that not | elder son Quintus, the wife of Nepos bore him is
## p. 1061 (#1077) ##########################################
METELLUS.
1061
METELLUS.
the aria i
opslar mitt
Meie es at
3 vittat et
in gerak, de
eatest ceados
this defeat, an
to defy L. 12
ke bad act be
Tiends in 2. 272
ed to Rome in the
on the other
of those who
C. Corse. He
be ras secrete
in & C. 63. dan
or at the end of the
Godowed closely in the
ve him, be was a seat
of the aristocet;
were very conscada
ale general, and he was
bis troops tə the
carried on in Spain ;
sonal character cette
de general disse repeater
nd astr, he iniuud bis
which he bestowed pe
& His conduct a de
ent, and the statisde ha
dius, are especial, desert
i
third son, to whom he again gave the names of cracy that Cicero calls him “egregius consul" ;
Quintus and Nepos. This supposition accounts and although he did not at first oppose the adop-
not only for the two brothers bearing the same tion of Clodius into a plebeian family, apparently
praenomen, but also for the younger, and not the not attaching much importance to the matter, yet
elder, having the cognomen of his father.
as soon as he perceived that Clodius was resolved
In B. C. 66, Metellus Celer served as legate in to favour the views of the democratical party, Me-
the army of Pompey in Asia, and distinguished tellus opposed his plans to the utmost of his power.
himself by repulsing an attack which Oroeses, king Clodius was the first-cousin of Metellus, being the
of the Albanians, made upon his winter-quarters. son of his father's sister, and likewise the brother
He returned to Rome before Pompey, and was of his own wife ; but he did not allow this family
praetor in B. C. 63, the year in which Cicero was connection to produce any change in his political
consul. Like the other members of his family he conduct. As a war threatened to break out in
distinguished himself during his year of office by a Gnul, the senate determined that the consuls should
warm support of the aristocratical party. He pre- draw lots for the provinces of the Gauls; but Me
vented the condemnation of C. Rabirius by re- tellus did not leave Rome this year, nor apparently
moving the military flag from the Janiculum, as the next. In B. C. 59, the year of Caesar's consul-
has been already narrated in the life of Caesar ship, he took a leading part in the opposition to
(Vol. I. p. 541). He co-operated with Cicero in the agrarian law of Caesar, but in vain. He died
opposing the schemes of Catiline ; and, when the in the course of the same year, so unexpectedly,
latter left the city to make war upon the republic, that it was suspected that he had been poisoned by
Metellus had the charge of the Picentine and Se- his wife Clodia, with whom he lived on the most
nonian districts. By blocking up the passes he unhappy terms, and who was a woman of the ut-
prevented Catiline from crossing the Apennines most profligacy. The character of Metellus has
and penetrating into Gaul, and thus compelled him been sufficiently indicated in the preceding sketch
to turn round and face Antonius, who was march- of his life : he was one of the great leaders of the
ing against him from Etruria In the following aristocracy, but did not possess either sufficient in-
year, B. C. 62, Metellus went with the title of pro- fluence or sufficient genius to cope with such men
consul into the province of Cisalpine Gaul, which as Caesar and Pompey. His oratory is spoken of
Cicero had relinquished because he was unwilling favourably by Cicero, and was more adapted to the
to leave the city. Although Metellus and Cicero popular assemblies than to the courts. (Dion Cass.
had been thus closely connected, yet he was ex- xxxvi. 37, and libb. xxxvii. xxxviii ; Sall. Cut.
ceedingly angry when the orator attacked his 57 ; the passages of Cicero in Orelli's Onom. Tull.
brother Nepos, who had given him, however, abun- vol ii. p. 107. )
dant provocation. (See below, No. 21. ) The 21. Q. METELLUS, Q. F. Q. N. METELLUS
letter which Celer wrote to Cicero on this occasion Nepos, brother of the preceding, and son of the
is still preserved, and is very characteristic of the elder Nepos (No. 16). In B. C. 67 he served as
haughty aristocratical spirit of the family. Cicero's legate of Pompey in the war against the pirates,
reply is very clever. (Cic. ad Fam. v. 1, 2. ) and was still with him in Asia in B. C. 64. In
In B. C. 61, Metellus was consul elect, and by B. C. 63 he returned to Rome, in order to become a
his personal influence prevented the celebration of candidate for the tribunate, that he might thereby
the Compitalia, which a tribune of the plebs was favour the views of Pompey. The aristocracy,
preparing to celebrate in opposition to a senatus- who now dreaded Pompey more than any one else
consultum. Towards the end of the year he took in the state, were in the utmost consternation. They
an active part in conjunction with M. Cato, and brought forward M. Cato as a rival candidate, and
others of the aristocracy, in resisting the demands succeeded in carrying his election, but were unable
of the publicani, who petitioned the senate to to prevent the election of Metellus likewise. Me-
allow them to pay a smaller sum for the farm- tellus entered upon his office on the 10th of De-
ing of the taxes in Asia than they had agreed to cember, B. C. 63, and commenced his official career
give. Their request was accordingly refused, but by a violent attack upon Cicero, whom he looked
was subsequently granted, in B. C. 59, by Caesar, upon as the main support of the existing order of
who brought forward a bill in the comitia for the things. He openly asserted that he who had con-
purpose. In B. C. 60, Metellus was consul with demned Roman citizens without a hearing ought
L. Afranius, who was a creature of Pompey, and not to be heard himself, and accordingly prevented
had been raised to this dignity by Pompey's in- Cicero from addressing the people on the last day
fluence. Pompey was anxious to obtain the ratio of his consulship, when he had to lay down his
fication of his acts in Asia, and an assignment of office, and only allowed him to take the usual oath,
lands for his soldiers ; but Afranius was not a man whereupon Cicero swore that he had saved the
of sufficient ability and energy to be of much ser- On the 1st of January, B. C. 62, Cicero at-
vice to him, and Metellus thwarted all his plans, tacked Metellus with great bitterness in the senate,
since Pompey, and not Caesar, was generally re- and two days afterwards Metellus replied to hin
garded at that time as the most formidable enemy with equal bitterness, upbraiding him with his low
of the aristocracy. It was this opposition which origin, denouncing him as a tyrant for condemning
drove Pompey into the arms of Caesar, and thus Roman citizens to death unheard, and threatening
prepared the downfall of the republic. So resolute him with an impeachment. Stung to the quick,
was the opposition of Metellus to the agrarian law Cicero published an oration against him, entitled
of the tribune L. Flavius, which he brought for- “Metellina,” of the nature of which the second
ward in order to provide for Pompey's veterans, Philippic will probably give us the best idea. Sup-
that the tribune had him dragged to prison ; but ported by Caesar, who was anxious, above all
even this did not frighten Metellus, and the law things, to drive Pompey to an open rupture with
was in consequence abandoned. He acted with the senate, Metellus brought forward a bill to
such energy and decision in favour of the arisio- sunimon Pompey, with his army, to Rome, in order
IS
ed the son of Sapiolais
quence Metellus Pins RIU
9. 64; Appian, B. Com
103, 108–115 ; due: F2
isF. 18, 28; Plat Hata
-27; Liv. Ep 84, 55, 56;
-30; Dion Case ;
pro Arci, 4, 5, 10 pro Plan
to Balb. 2,9; Ascia i la
relli)
Q. F. Q. x. METELLES CILIK
is son of Nepos
, consul 36
ter was most probably is de
Das given rise to Each dinote,
ius both call Metellus Cesare
anger Metelius Nepos (Nacy
les that the latter was de
(No. 16), the grandson of list
id the great-grandson of Vance
(Cic as Fan. r. I.
:); 46L
From the way in whic: la
s, as well as from other att
led to conclude that aber is
& first-cousins. The only ceny
ion is that they both bear the past
1; but the ingenious branches de
Cic
. Lc. ) remores this erat
that the elder Vepos (Na 11
3 y 3
state.
sons, one called Quinta sody
Lucius: that the latter
, the sale or
as adopted by the 4. Meteiglect
tioned by Cicero as obe af te
und that he received in ceaseplats
Quintus and the cognomen led by
ler supposes that after the deatz des
uintus, the wife of Nepos ben biztos
## p. 1062 (#1078) ##########################################
1062
METELLUS.
METELLUS.
Berate;
of which the
tending there
for
1
preserve the i
Kcandalous ta
1. $ 8) is a s
(E. c. 51) &
of Septen. ber
sideration that
in the follow
considered ra
against Caesi
provinces in
liate on
were resolver
appeared for
warm. y seci
proposed in
26 +9, tha:
certain das,
state ; and
Q. Cassius,
Scipio urged
refused to i
cotisequence
the city, ai
kenate. In
was made a
lot of Scipio
His conduct
the blackest
be suffered
inhabitants
title of imp
to restore peace and protect the citizens from arbi- | little more than a servant of Pompey, and according
trary punishment. Parties were in the state of the to his bidding at one time opposed, and at another
highest exasperation : on the day on which the bill supported Cicero. (App. Mithr. 95; Flor. iii. 6;
was to be brought forward, Cato attempted to pre-Joseph. Ant. iv. 2. § 3, B. J. i. 6. & 2 ; Plut. Cat.
vent its being read, but was driven out of the Min. 20 ; Dion Cass. xxxvii. 38–51, xxxix. 1-7,
forum by force. He soon, however, returned, sup- 54; Plut. Caes. 21; the passages of Cicero in
ported by a large body of the aristocracy; and this Orelli's Onom. Tull. vol. ii. p. 107, &c. )
time the victory remained in their hands. Metellus 22. Q. CAECILIUS, Q. F. METELLUS Pius
was obliged to take to flight, and repaired to Scipio, the adopted son of Metellus Pius (No. 19).
l'ompey : the senate proposed to deprive him of He was the son of P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica,
liis office, and according to some accounts actually practor B. c. 94, and Licinia, a daughter of the
did so.
orator L. Crassus, and was a grandson of P. Corne-
Metellus returned to Rome with Pompey, and lius Scipio Nasica, consul B. c. lll, and Caecilia, a
was raised to the practorship in B. C. 60. " In this daughter of Metellus Macedonicus. Through his
year he brought forward a law for the abolition of grandmother he was therefore descended from the
the vectigalia in Italy; and the senate, out of hatred family of the Metelli, into which he was subse
to Metellus, attenipted to call the law by the name quently adopted. Before his adoption he bore the
of some other person. In the following year he names of P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, and hence his
appears not to have gone to a province, but to have name is given in various forms. Sometimes he is
remained in Rome. In B. c. 57 he was consul called P. Scipio Nasica, sometimes Q. Metellus
with P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther. Cicero, Scipio, and sometimes simply Scipio or Metellus.
who had been banished in the preceding year, and His full legal name. as it appears in a senatus con-
whose friends were now exerting themselves to sultum (Cic. ad Fam. viii. 8), is the one given at
obtain his recall, was greatly alarmed at the elec- the commencement of this notice. Appian erro-
tion of Metellus, since he was one of his bit-neously gives him the praenomen Lucius. (B. C.
tercst personal enemies. But since Clodius had | ii. 24. )
offended both Pompey and Caesar, and the latter Metellus is first mentioned in B. c. 63, when he
was anxious to mortify and weaken the power of is said to have come to Cicero by night, along with
the demagogue, Metellus, out of respect to them, M. Crassus and Marcellus, bringing with them
suppressed his feelings towards Cicero, and an- letters relating to the conspiracy of Catiline. In
nounced in the senate on the 1st of January, that B. C. 60 he was elected tribune of the plebs, but
he should not oppose his recall from exile. Cicero was accused of bribery by M. Favonius, who had
wrote to him to express his gratitude (ad Fam. v. failed in his election, and was defended by Cicero.
4), and in subsequent speeches he frequently He was tribune in B. c. 59, and was one of the
praises his moderation and magnanimity. At the college of pontiffs before whom Cicero spoke re-
same time the friends of Cicero at Rome seem to specting his house in B. c. 57. In the latter year
have had some suspicions of Metellus ; but he was he exhibited gladiatorial games in honour of his
eventually induced, very much by the influence of deceased father, Metellus Pius. In B. c. 53 Scipio
his relative, P. Servilius, to give a hearty support was a candidate for the consulship along with Plau-
to Cicero's friends, and in the month of September tius Hypsaeus and Milo, and was supported by the
the orator was at Rome. But almost immediately | Clodian mob, since he was opposed to Milo. The
afterwards we again find Metellus on the other candidates had recourse to the most unblushing
side, and in the month of November using his bribery, and to open violence and force. The
efforts to obtain the aedileship for Clodius. most frightful scenes were daily occurring in the
In B. c. 56 Metellus administered the province streets of Rome ; and these disturbances were
of Nearer Spain. Either before he left Rome or secretly fomented by Pompey, who was anxious to
soon afterwards Metellus had quarrelled with be named dictator, for the purpose of restoring
Clodius, and this enmity naturally led to a recon- order to the city, and thereby possessing the power
ciliation with Cicero, to whom he writes in appa- which might enable him to crush Caesar, of whom
rently cordial terms (ad Fam. v, 3). In the he had now become jealous. The comitia could
month of April he repaired, with many other dis- not be held for the election of consuls ; and when
tinguished Roman nobles, to Caesar's winter the murder of Clodius at the beginning of the fol-
quarters at Luca, doubtless with the view of lowing year, B. C. 52, threw the state almost into
obtaining the prolongation of his command. On anarchy, the senate consented that Pompey should
his return to Spain he made a sudden and appa- be elected sole consul. This took place at the end
rently unjustifiable attack upon the Vaccaei, whom of February; and shortly afterwards he married
be defeated ; but in the following year (B. C. 55) Cornelia, the daughter of Scipio, to whom he showed
they took the town of Clunia from him, and ad- particular favour. Hypsaeus and Scipio were both
vanced with such considerable forces that Metellus accused of bribery ; but though both were equally
dared not attack them. Metellus seems to have guilty. the former only was condemned. On the
returned to Rome in the course of this year, and to Ist of August Pompey made Scipio his colleague in
have died in the same year, as his name does not the consulship ; and Scipio showed his gratitude
occur again. In his testament he left Carrinus by using every effort to destroy the power of
(probably the consul of B. c. 43) the heir of all his Caesar and strengthen that of Pompey. He was
property, passing over all the Metelli and likewise all the more ready to exert himself in Pompey's
the Claudii, with whom he was so nearly connected favour, since the latter was now obliged to enter
(Val. Max. vii. 8. $ 3. ) Metellus did not adhere into a close connection with the aristocratical party,
strictly to the political principles of his family. He to which Scipio belonged, for the purpose of crush.
did not support the aristocracy, like his brother ; | ing his rival. One of the first acts of Metellus
nor, on the other hand, can he be said to have after his appointment to the consulship was to bring
been « leader of the democracy. He was in fact forward a law restoring to the censors the powers
His exactio
leled: new
the inbabit
every part
there was
maranding
account 23
they had 1
kind of
op
money and
up
bis win
province du
attack of
following
plunder the
Teceived a
his troops.
Grecies
donian and
oppose Sci
i
them, acco
fil. 36–38
by other
B. C. ü. 6
join Pompe
obliged Ca
Caesar.
rissa, and
the comma
success, th
quarrel wit
the spoil;
which desc
Abenobart
the office o
held. The
prospects.
## p. 1063 (#1079) ##########################################
METELLUS.
1063
METELLUS.
AG
senate.
ele
1
of which they had been deprived by Clodius, in- centre of the Pompeian troops, and was opposed by
tending thereby to expel Caesar's friends from the his old adversary, Domitius Calvinus.
senate ; for that he was actuated by no desire to After the loss of the battle of Pharsalia, Me-
preserve the purity and morality of the body, the tellus fled, first to Corcyra and then to Africa,
scandalous tale related by Valerius Maximus (ix. where it was hoped that the army of Attius Varus
1. $ 8) is a sufficient proof. In the following year and the assistance of Juba, king of Numidia, might
(B. c. 51) Scipio proposed in the senate on the 16t restore the fallen fortunes of the Pompeian party.
of September that the senate should take into con- Through the influence of Cato, Scipio obtained the
sideration the Gallic provinces on the 1st of March supreme conimand, as being of consular rank,
in the following year ; but as this proposition was much to the chagrin of Varus, who laid claim to it.
considered rather too open a declaration of hostility As soon as Scipio had received the command, ho
against Caesar, it was decreed that the consular attempted to destroy the important town of Urica,
provinces in general should be brought before the in order to gratify Juba, and it was with difficulty
senate on that day. When stronger measures that Cato prevented him from doing it. His con-
were resolved upon by the aristocracy, Scipio again duct in Africa scems to have been as oppressive as
appeared foreniost in urging their adoption. He it had been in Syria ; in every direction he plun-
warmly seconded the consul Lentulus when he dered the inhabitants and laid waste the country.
proposed in the senate at the beginning of January, At length Caesar landed in Africa, at the end of
B. C. 49, that Caesar should dismiss his armıy by a December, B. C. 47, and in the month of April in
certain day, or else be regarded as an enemy of the the following year, B. C. 46, he defeated Scipio aud
state ; and when the tribunes, M. Antonius and Juba at the decisive battle of Thapsus. Scipio
Q. Cassius, placed their veto upon the decree, immediately fled to the sea, and with a small
Scipio urged on matters to an open rupture, and squadron of ships steered first for Utica ; but,
refused to listen to any overtures of peace. The learning from Caio that there would be no security
consequence was that the two tribunes fled from for him there, he put out to sea, intending to sail
the city, and Caesar took up arms against the over to Spain. Contrary winds, however, obliged
In the division of the provinces, which him to put back to Hippo Regius, where he fell in
was made a few days afterwards, Syria fell to the with the fleet of P. Sittius, who fought on Caesar's
lot of Scipio, who hastened thither without delay. side. His small squadron was overpowered ; and,
His conduct in the province is drawn by Caesar in as he saw that escape was impossible, he stabbed
the blackest colours (B. C. iii. 31, 32). Although himself and leaped into the sea
he suffered some loss in an engagement with the Scipio never exhibited any proofs of striking
inhabitants of Mount Amanus, he assumed the abilities either in war or in peace; and the pro-
title of imperator, and had it struck upon his coins. minent part which he played in these stormy times
His exactions and extortions were almost unparal- was chiefly owing to his high connections, being a
leled: new taxes of all kinds were imposed upon Scipio by birth, a Metellus by adoption, and, by
the inhabitants ; Roman officers were sent into the marriage of his daughter, the father-in-law of
every part of the province to collect them; and Pompey. The love of country and the freedom of
there was scarcely a village which escaped their the republic (the watch words with which he
marauding visits: they plundered on their own fought against Caesar) were a mere sbam ; he was
account as well as on account of their general ; and only anxious to obtain for himself and his party
they had the fullest licence given them for every the exclusive possession of the offices of the state
kind of oppression. After collecting large sums of and of the provinces, that they might realise fortunes
money and a considerable body of troops, he took to gratify their love of luxury and pomp. In
up his winter-quarters at Pergamum, leaving his public, Scipio showed himself cruel, vindictive, and
province quite unprotected and exposed to a fresh oppressive ; in private, he was mean, avaricious,
attack of the Parthians. At the beginning of the and licentious, even beyond most of his contem-
following year, B. C. 48, he was preparing to poraries. A striking instance of his profligncy is
plunder the temple of Diana in Ephesus, when he given in the tale related by Valerius Maximus,
received a summons from Pompey to join him with which has already been referred to. (Plut. Cic. 15;
his troops, as Caesar had already crossed over to Dion Cass. xl. 51, xliii. 9; Appian, B. C. ii. 24, 25,
Greece. Caesar sent Domitius Calvinus into Mace-60, 76, 87, 95–100; Caes.
