Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus (c. 188 BC – 116 BC/115 BC) was a statesman and general of the

In 148 BC, as a

In 146 BC, he defeated

In 143-142 BC, when consul, he campaigned against the Celtiberians in central Hispania during the Numantine War, defeating the Arevaci, Lusones, Belli, Titii and the Vaccaei. He did not confront the city of Numantia, which then became the focus of the war and which resisted for ten years.^[5]

Politics

In 133 BC, he gave a speech attacking

Metellus was elected censor in 131 BC, boldly pledging to halt the growing degradation of Roman custom. In a speech which he delivered at his appointment, he proposed that matrimony was to be mandatory for all citizens, in order to put an end to the libertine behaviour then already widespread. A century later Augustus caused this speech to be read at the Senate and published as an edict for the knowledge and regeneration of the Roman People.^[7] His moralizing efforts awakened strong popular opposition, led by the tribune Gaius Atinius Labeo Macerio whom he had previously expelled from the Senate. He was almost killed by the mob on the Tarpeian Rock.

Later there were some disagreements between him and Scipio Aemilianus, but he never lost sight of the merits of this adversary, whose death he mourned, ordering his sons to transport Aemilianus' body to the crematory pyre.

Celebrated for his eloquence and his taste for the Arts, he died in 116/115 BC. He was generally respected as the paradigm of the fortunate Roman for from an illustrious birth he united all manner of civil and military honours, and left a large family of four sons, of whom one was then consul, two had already been and one would be soon. His two sons-in-law, Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica and Gaius Servilius Vatia would also attain the consulship.

Family

He was the oldest son of Quintus Caecilius Metellus and grandson of Lucius Caecilius Metellus.

He was the father of:

• Quintus Caecilius Metellus Balearicus
• Lucius Caecilius Metellus Diadematus
• Marcus Caecilius Metellus
• Gaius Caecilius Metellus Caprarius
• Caecilia Metella, born c. 170 BC, wife of Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica
• Caecilia Metella, born c. 170 BC, wife of Gaius Servilius Vatia
• Caecilia Metella, wife of Quintus Servilius Caepio^[8]

In popular culture

Metellus was played by

"Metellus raising the siege", a painting by Armand-Charles Caraffe, commemorates the legend of Metellus lifting the siege of Centobrigia in 142 BC, in order to spare the lives of innocents.

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