Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos (consul 57 BC) facts for kids

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos (around 100 BC – 55 BC) was an important ancient Roman politician. He lived during the time of the Late Republic. He was the son of another famous Roman, also named Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos.

He held several key positions in the Roman government. He served as a tribune of the plebs in 62 BC. Later, he became a consul in 57 BC. He also worked as the governor of Hispania Citerior (a part of modern-day Spain) from 56 to 55 BC.

Early in his career, Nepos worked with a powerful Roman general named Pompey. He helped Pompey during wars against pirates and in the Third Mithridatic War. When he returned to Rome, he supported Pompey as a tribune. However, things changed, and Nepos later became an opponent of Pompey. This happened especially after the group known as the First Triumvirate was formed in 59 BC.

Even though the Triumvirate didn't want him to, Nepos was elected consul in 57 BC. During this time, he supported his cousin Clodius. He also opposed Pompey's efforts to get more military power. Despite their disagreements, Nepos supported bringing Cicero back from exile.

Early Political Life

Nepos's first public action was in 72 BC. He brought charges against Gaius Scribonius Curio, who was a rival of his family. This kind of legal challenge was common in the late Republic. It showed how different political groups were growing apart.

Military Service with Pompey

Nepos served as a legate (a kind of assistant general) for Pompey. This was during the campaign against pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. This happened between 67 and 66 BC. He was in charge of naval forces along the coast from Lycia to Phoenicia.

Like his brother, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer, Nepos also fought in the Third Mithridatic War. This war was against Mithridates VI of Pontus and Tigranes the Great of Armenia. In 64 BC, he helped capture Damascus in Syria. The next year, he left Pompey's army to go back to Rome. He wanted to become a tribune and support Pompey there.

Tribune of the Plebs

Nepos was elected as a tribune of the plebs in 63 BC. He served alongside Cato the Younger that year. A tribune was a Roman official who protected the rights of common people (plebeians).

After taking office in December 63 BC, Nepos challenged Cicero, who was then a consul. He criticized Cicero for his actions against a group of plotters in the Catilinarian conspiracy. Nepos tried to accuse Cicero of wrongdoing. However, the Senate (Rome's governing council) protected Cicero. They even threatened to declare anyone who tried to prosecute him a public enemy.

In January 62 BC, Nepos tried to pass a law quickly. This law would have called Pompey back from the war against Mithridates. Pompey would then take command against the remaining forces of Catiline in Etruria. Nepos tried to skip the usual waiting period for a bill to be voted on. He likely knew that Catiline's forces were about to be defeated.

On January 3, 62 BC, Nepos tried to pass his bill. He faced strong opposition from the Senate. Nepos and his ally Julius Caesar (who was a praetor at the time) gathered people at the Forum. Cato the Younger and another tribune, Quintus Minucius Thermus, tried to stop them. Cato even sat between Nepos and Caesar to prevent them from talking. When Nepos tried to read the bill, Cato vetoed it. When Nepos tried to read it from memory, Thermus covered his mouth. A fight broke out in the Forum. Because of this violence, the Senate passed a special decree against Nepos. This forced him to leave Rome and go to Pompey's army in the east.

Some ancient writers said that Nepos or Caesar were removed from their offices. However, this is unlikely, as the Senate didn't have that power. It's more likely that the Senate tried to approve Nepos leaving the city. Tribunes were not allowed to leave Rome. The idea of sending Pompey after Catiline's group became unnecessary. Catiline and his forces were defeated shortly after in the Battle of Pistoria.

Praetorship and Consulship

After Pompey returned to Italy in late 62 BC, he divorced his wife. Nepos then served as a praetor in 60 BC. A praetor was a Roman official who oversaw legal matters.

During his time as praetor, Nepos passed a law. This law removed customs duties (taxes on goods) in Rome and Italy. This change likely aimed to gain support from farmers and wealthy traders. Soon after, he also became an augur, a religious official who interpreted signs from the gods.

Opposing the Triumvirate

In 59 BC, a powerful alliance formed. It was called the First Triumvirate. This group included Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus. Nepos continued to oppose Pompey and his new allies. This alliance caused many political groups in Rome to shift. They tried to balance the power of the Triumvirate.

In the elections for consul in 57 BC, Pompey and Caesar managed to get their ally Publius Cornelius Lentulus Spinther elected. However, they could not stop Nepos from being elected as Spinther's fellow consul. Neither consul fully supported the Triumvirate.

While Spinther and Pompey supported bringing Cicero back from exile, Nepos supported his cousin Clodius. Cicero had been exiled the previous year by Publius Clodius Pulcher. Eventually, Pompey and Spinther convinced Nepos to stop his opposition. A law was then passed to bring Cicero back. Cicero tried to improve his relationship with Nepos. However, Nepos did not completely abandon his cousin Clodius. He opposed attempts by Titus Annius Milo (an enemy of Clodius) to bring charges against Clodius. He also supported Clodius's campaign for aedileship (another Roman office).

During Nepos's time as consul, Pompey also wanted a military command. He wanted to resolve a civil war that had started in Egypt. Spinther and Nepos put Pompey in charge of a grain supply commission. This was done to prevent him from trying to get the Egyptian command for himself. Nepos may also have successfully opposed a law that would have given Pompey even greater power that year.

Governor of Hispania Citerior

After his time as consul, Nepos was appointed as a proconsul. He was sent to Hispania Citerior (a Roman province in Spain). He might have served in this province before, after his praetorship. While there, he led campaigns against the Vaccaei people. They lived on the northern edge of his province, near the Douro river.

His victories in Spain were not permanent. After his term ended in 55 BC, he returned to Rome. He passed away shortly after.

See also

In Spanish: Quinto Cecilio Metelo Nepote (cónsul 57 a. C.) para niños

• Caecilia gens