Lucius Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus facts for kids

Lucius Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus was an important Roman politician and general who lived around 160 BC. He was the son of Lucius Caecilius Metellus Calvus and the brother of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus.

He became a consul in 119 BC. This was a very high position in the Roman government. During his time as consul, he disagreed with a new law about how elections should be done, proposed by Gaius Marius.

From 119 BC to 117 BC, he served as consul and later as a proconsul. He led military campaigns against the Dalmatians, a group of people living in what is now Croatia. He won important victories against them.

For his success in battle, Lucius Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus was given a special celebration called a triumph in 117 BC. This was a huge parade through Rome to honor a victorious general. Because of his victories, he earned the special nickname, or cognomen, "Delmaticus." He used the money and treasures gained from these wars to build two temples and help repair the Temple of Castor and Pollux in Rome.

Important Roles in Rome

Censor and Religious Leader

Lucius Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus was likely chosen as a censor in 115 BC. A censor was a powerful Roman official who kept track of citizens, managed public money, and oversaw public morals. Historians have debated whether it was him or another family member who held this role, but many believe it was Delmaticus.

Later, he became the pontifex maximus, which was the chief priest of Rome. He took over this important religious role from Publius Mucius Scaevola before 114 BC. As pontifex maximus, he was involved in important religious matters. For example, he served as a judge in a significant trial involving some Vestal Virgins, who were priestesses dedicated to the goddess Vesta. One of the priestesses was found guilty by his court. However, the initial decision about two other priestesses was later changed by a different court.

Lucius Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus likely passed away around 103 BC, as a new pontifex maximus was chosen that year to replace him.

His Family

Lucius Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus had several children:

• Lucius Caecilius Metellus
• Marcus Caecilius Metellus
• Caecilia Metella, who married two important Roman figures: first Marcus Aemilius Scaurus and later Sulla.

See also

• Caecilia gens