Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius
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| Born | c. 128 BC |
| Died | 63 BC (aged c. 65) |
| Nationality | Roman Republic |
| Occupation | Politician and military leader |
| Office | Pontifex maximus (81–63 BC) Consul (80 BC) |
| Relatives | Metellus Numidicus (father) Metellus Scipio (adopted son) |
| Military service | |
| Years of service | 109–72 BC |
| Battles/wars | Jugurthine War Marsic War Bellum Octavianum Sulla's civil war Sertorian War |
| Awards | Roman triumph |
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius (born around 128 BC, died 63 BC) was an important Roman politician and a skilled general. He belonged to the powerful Caecilii Metelli family. This family was a key part of the Optimates, a group of conservative leaders in the Roman Republic. They were often against the Populares, another political group.
His father, Metellus Numidicus, was forced to leave Rome. This happened because of Gaius Marius and the Populares. Quintus worked very hard to bring his father back from exile. Because he was so loyal and determined, he was given the special nickname (called an agnomen) Pius. This means "dutiful" or "loyal."
During the Roman civil wars (88-80 BC), Pius supported Lucius Cornelius Sulla and the Optimates. He led Sulla's armies successfully in northern Italy. In 81 BC, he became Pontifex Maximus, which was the chief priest of Rome. The next year, he served as a consul alongside Sulla. As a proconsul, Pius fought against Sertorius in Spain. This conflict was known as the Sertorian War. He worked with Pompey to slowly defeat the rebels from 79 to 72/71 BC. For his victories in this war, he was honored with a Roman triumph.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Metellus Pius was born into the distinguished plebeian gens Caecilia family. His father, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus, was a consul in 109 BC. Pius started his career in the same year. He went with his father to Numidia as a young cadet during the Jugurthine War. He returned to Rome in 107 BC when his father was forced to leave by Gaius Marius.
In 100 BC, his father was banished from Rome due to political actions by Gaius Marius. Metellus Pius then began a campaign to bring his father back. He presented a petition in 99 BC. His constant efforts led to a law being passed in 98 BC. This law allowed his father to return. Because of his strong loyalty, he earned the nickname "Pius."
Joining the Priesthood
Sometime in the 90s BC, Metellus Pius was chosen to join the College of Pontiffs. This was due to his family's high standing and influence. When the Social War broke out, he served as a legate in 89 BC. He likely worked under the consul Pompeius Strabo in the northern part of Italy. He won some battles against the Marsi people.
Because of these victories, he was elected praetor in 88 BC. During his time as praetor, he had to register new Roman citizens from Italy. This was done according to a law called the Lex Plautia Papiria. After this, Metellus Pius returned to the war front. He took over from another legate on the southern front. He attacked the area around Apulia and captured the town of Venusia. He also defeated the rebel leader, Quintus Poppaedius Silo.
Supporting Sulla
In 88 BC, Sulla marched his armies into Rome. He took control and forced Marius into exile. Sulla then left Italy to fight in the First Mithridatic War in the east. In 87 BC, Metellus Pius's command was extended. He was made a propraetor to continue the war against Samnium.
Later that year, a conflict started between two consuls, Lucius Cornelius Cinna and Gnaeus Octavius. This led to a war called the Bellum Octavianum. Cinna, who was expelled from Rome, joined up with Gaius Marius. With their ally Quintus Sertorius, they marched on Rome and surrounded the city. The Senate asked Metellus Pius to make peace with the Samnites.
Pius marched towards Rome and set up camp. He met Gnaeus Octavius, but they disagreed on who should lead. The Senate then asked Pius to negotiate with Cinna. He recognized Cinna as the legal consul. However, after Cinna took Rome and Marius began executions, Metellus Pius decided to leave. He went to North Africa.
Working with Sulla
Metellus Pius arrived in Africa in early 86 BC. He began gathering an army from his supporters. He planned to join Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who was against Cinna and Marius. Marcus Licinius Crassus joined him, but they had a disagreement. Crassus left and eventually joined Sulla in Greece. Metellus acted as governor of the province, but Cinna's government in Rome did not recognize this.
In 84 BC, the Marians in Rome sent their own governor, Gaius Fabius Hadrianus. He drove Metellus Pius out of Africa. Pius fled to Numidia, then to Mauretania. From there, Metellus Pius traveled to Liguria in northwestern Italy by late 84 BC or early 83 BC.
By 83 BC, Sulla had returned from the east. He was slowly marching to Rome to confront the Marian government. Metellus Pius quickly met him, bringing new troops. Many aristocrats joined Sulla when it seemed best for them. Sulla recognized Metellus's authority and influence. He made Metellus his main helper. In July 83 BC, the Senate, led by the consul Gnaeus Papirius Carbo, declared Metellus Pius a public enemy.
In 82 BC, Sulla sent Pius to secure northern Italy. Young Pompey Magnus, Marcus Crassus, and Marcus Lucullus went with him. Metellus attacked and defeated Gaius Carrinas. He then won a victory over consul Papirius Carbo at Faventia. This helped Sulla take control of Cisalpine Gaul.
After Sulla's victory in 82 BC, he rewarded his supporters. He made Metellus Pius the Pontifex Maximus in 81 BC. This happened after the murder of Quintus Mucius Scaevola Pontifex. Pius was also a moneyer from 82 BC to 80 BC.
Metellus Pius was one of Sulla's best commanders. He was a traditionalist who supported the Senate. He wanted to fight against the popular ideas of Marius and Cinna. He did not take part in the harsh actions during Sulla's time as dictator. In 80 BC, he became consul alongside Sulla. Metellus Pius used his position to help Quintus Calidius, who had helped his father return.
The Sertorian War
During his time as consul, Quintus Sertorius, an opponent of Sulla, started a rebellion in Spain. In 80 BC, Sertorius defeated the governor of Hispania Ulterior. The Senate decided to send Metellus Pius to Spain after his term as consul ended. They made Hispania Ulterior a consular province. Metellus Pius arrived in Spain in 79 BC. He set up his bases in places like Metellinum (now Medellín).
From the beginning, Sertorius's brilliant use of guerrilla tactics made things hard for Metellus Pius. Pius suffered several defeats. His legate Thorius was defeated by Sertorius in 79 BC. After this, Metellus decided to fight Sertorius himself. Metellus was a good general in normal battles, but Sertorius was very clever. The historian Plutarch described their unequal fight:
He [Metellus] was used to regular warfare with heavy infantry. He liked to command a solid, ponderous bloc of infantry. This formation was superbly trained to push back and vanquish the enemy in close quarter combat. For constantly chasing men who floated like the wind over the mountains he had to climb for enduring – as their enemy did – constant hunger without either tent or campfire, his army was useless. The light armour and consequent agility of his Iberian warriors meant Sertorius was constantly shifting his focus and changing the situation, until Metellus was at his wits' end. Metellus was no longer young, and after the many heroic contests of his youth he was now somewhat inclined to ease and luxury, while Sertorius was full of mature vigour. ... When Sertorius challenged Metellus to single combat, Metellus' men cheered and urged him to fight it out, general to general, and they mocked him when he declined.
After a failed attack in 79 BC and a defeat at Lacobriga in 78 BC, Pius asked for help. Lucius Manlius, the governor of Gallia Transalpina, came to help. But Sertorius's legate Lucius Hirtuleius defeated Manlius. An exhausted Metellus was pushed out of his province. Metellus likely had problems with spies. Sertorius was rumored to have many spies in his camp.
In late 77 BC, the Senate heard about Pius's difficulties. They decided to send Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus with a large army to help. Pius's governorship was extended. Both Metellus and Pompey worked well together. But they found it hard to defeat Sertorius himself. When Pompey arrived in 76 BC, Sertorius focused on him. Sertorius caused heavy losses to Pompey's army at the Battle of Lauron. Luckily for Pompey, Metellus arrived just in time to save him. Against Sertorius's legates, Metellus and Pompey had more success. In 75 BC, Pompey defeated Sertorius's legates at the Battle of Valentia. Metellus defeated Hirtuleius at the Battle of Italica.
Battle of Italica
This was Metellus's first big victory in the Sertorian War. It allowed his army to move to other areas. Metellus and Hirtuleius were fighting near the Roman colony of Italica. Hirtuleius made the mistake of trying to force a direct battle. He lined up his army at dawn and marched towards Metellus's camp. Metellus also lined up his troops but kept them behind his defenses until noon. It was very hot, and Hirtuleius's troops became tired. Metellus's soldiers stayed fresh.
Metellus had time to study Hirtuleius's army. He saw that Hirtuleius had placed his strongest units in the middle. When the battle started, Metellus held back his own center. He focused on winning on the sides. After defeating the enemy's sides, he surrounded Hirtuleius's center and defeated them. This was a classic tactic used by Hannibal at Cannae many years before. Hirtuleius lost 20,000 men at Italica. He fled north to join Sertorius.
Battles of Sucro and Saguntum
Metellus helped Pompey after Pompey's near defeat at Sucro. They then followed Sertorius inland to a town called Segontia. They finally won a battle against Sertorius himself. Metellus was declared imperator (a victorious commander) by his soldiers.
Plutarch says that Sertorius was forced into this battle. This was likely because his Celt-Iberian troops wanted to defend Segontia, their hometown. The fighting began at noon and lasted into the night. Sertorius first fought Pompey. His legates Perpenna and Hirtuleius fought Metellus. After Hirtuleius fell, Sertorius switched places with Perpenna. He launched several attacks on Metellus himself. Metellus held his ground. During the fight, he was wounded by a spear. This changed the battle. Metellus's men fought back harder to get revenge.
All the Romans who saw or heard of this [Metellus being wounded] were filled with shame at the idea of deserting their commander. The same event filled them with fury against the enemy. So, they covered Metellus with their shields and carried him out of danger. Then they fell energetically on the Iberians and pushed them back. Victory changed sides.Plutarch
Metellus then decided to rest his troops and set up camp. Sertorius regrouped his men. In the evening, he launched a surprise attack on Metellus's camp. He tried to cut it off with a trench. However, Pompey and his army arrived and forced Sertorius to retreat. In the battle, Pompey lost 6,000 men, while Sertorius lost 3,000. Perperna lost about 5,000 soldiers. Metellus's losses are not known, but they were likely significant.
The War's End
Metellus Pius spent the winter of 75–74 BC in Gaul. He received two new legions as reinforcements. When he returned to Spain in 74 BC, he captured the towns of Bilbilis and Segobriga. He then joined Pompey at the siege of Calagurris. They had to stop the siege when Sertorius approached. After that, Pius returned to Gaul.
He then offered a reward of 100 silver talents and 20,000 acres of land. This was for any Roman who would betray Sertorius. Because of this, Sertorius stopped trusting his Roman bodyguards. He replaced them with Iberian ones. Metellus had continued successes in 73 BC. He allowed Pompey to take over the final parts of the war. Sertorius was murdered by his own men in 72 BC.
After Sertorius's rebellion ended, Pius imposed new taxes in Hispania Ulterior. Pius's time as governor ended in 71 BC. He disbanded his army after crossing the Alps. He celebrated a triumph with Pompey on December 30, 71 BC. Even with the triumph, he could not fully defeat Sertorius for eight years. It was only after Sertorius's assassination that the rebels finally gave up.
Later Life
Even though he worked with Pompey in Spain, Metellus Pius did not agree with Pompey's unusual political career in the 60s BC. Pompey was very powerful. But the Senate could still punish his friends and former helpers. When Gaius Cornelius, a friend of Pompey, was accused of a crime against the state, Metellus Pius was called as a witness.
Metellus Pius was a friend and supporter of the famous poet Aulus Licinius Archias. Pius died around 63 BC. In that same year, Julius Caesar took his place as Pontifex Maximus.
Family
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius did not have any natural children. In his will, he adopted a member of the patrician family Cornelia. This adopted son was named Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio Nasica. He later became a consul in 52 BC. He was also the father-in-law of Gnaeus Pompey the Great.
In Stories
Metellus Pius is an important character in the novels The First Man in Rome, The Grass Crown, and Fortune's Favorites by Colleen McCullough. In these books, he is shown as having a stutter. Other characters, including Sulla, sometimes call him "the Piglet."
He is also mentioned in John Maddox Roberts' SPQR series. In these stories, he is the uncle of the main character, Decius Caecilius Metellus.
Images for kids
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Fantasy portrait of Metellus Pius from Guillaume Rouillé's Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum
See also
In Spanish: Quinto Cecilio Metelo Pío para niños
