Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos Iunior

Who was Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos Iunior?

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos Iunior was a son of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos. He was a Tribune in 62 BC, a Praetor in 60 BC, a Consul in 57 BC and the Governor of Hispania Citerior in 56 BC.

He was, as his brother Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer, Lieutenant of Pompeius Magnus at the campaigns of Asia and against the pirates, from 67 BC to 63 BC. On his return to Rome, in 63 BC, he was elected Tribune of the Plebeians for 62 BC, along with Marcus Porcius Cato. Inaugurated on 10 December 63 BC, he began a vitriolic campaign against Cicero, whom he accused before the People and the Senate of illegally having given death to the accomplices of Catilina. He further prevented Cicero from making a speech on the last day of his consulship, 29 December 63 BC, restricting him to the customary oath.

He also proposed, jointly with Caesar, that Pompeius Magnus was recalled to Rome with his Army to restore the legal order, but such proposal was rejected.

In 60 BC he was elected Praetor, and Consul in 58 BC and 57 BC, having then reconciled with Cicero, at the time exiled, to oppose Clodius, managing with his influence that the celebrated Orator was called from the banishment to which he had been condemned by that turbulent relative of his.