Metellus

Also known as: Metellus Numidicus / Metellus Pius · Family: Roman · Role: chief priest and colleague of Sylla · First appears: Sylla

Metellus, also known as Metellus Numidicus and Metellus Pius, was Rome’s chief priest. When Sylla returned to Rome, he became consul with Quintus Pompeius and married Caecilia, Metellus’s daughter, “in the fiftieth year of his age.” Lucullus was his nephew through Metellus’s sister.

In the comparison of Crassus with Nicias, Metellus was set against Mummius in the taking of Corinth. Later, during the war with Quintus Sertorius, Metellus suffered the disadvantages of defeat while desiring battle, whereas Sertorius refused the field and gained the conqueror’s advantages; Lucius Manlius came to Metellus’s aid from Gallia Narbonensis.

In dealings with Pompey, it was said that Pompey would accompany and assist Metellus if he requested it, but that taking a province from his senior in command and superior in reputation would not be fair or honorable. In another comparison, Caesar told Metellus and the others that they were “his prisoners.”

Relationship record

Sylla

child: Caecilia “At his return to Rome, he was chosen Consul with Quintus Pompeius, in the fiftieth year of his age, and made a most distinguished marriage with Caecilia, daughter of Metellus, the chief priest.”
parent: Caecilia “Caecilia, daughter of Metellus, the chief priest”

Lucullus

younger kin: Lucullus “his uncle by the mother's sister was Metellus, surnamed Numidicus”

Comparison of Crassus with Nicias

rivals with Mummius “as Mummius did Metellus at the taking of Corinth”
with Mummius (Mummius took an opportunity or glory that had been associated with Metellus.) “as Mummius did Metellus at the taking of Corinth”

Sertorius

enemies with Quintus Sertorius “Insomuch that Metellus suffered all the inconveniences of defeat, although he earnestly desired to fight, and Sertorius, though he refused the field, reaped all the advantages of a conqueror.”
with Lucius Manlius (interaction) “Lucius Manlius came to his assistance out of Gallia Narbonensis,”

Pompey

with Pompey (interaction) “if Metellus were willing, and should request his service, he should be very ready to accompany and assist him in the war”
with Pompey (interaction) “it could not be fair or honorable for him, to take a province out of the hands of his senior in command and superior in reputation”

Comparison of Pompey and Agesilaus

with Caesar (Caesar declared Metellus and the others his prisoners.) “to tell Metellus, together with all the rest, that they were his prisoners.”

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Extracted from the original text of Plutarch's Lives. Made with Rho MD.