Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio | |
|---|---|
| Born | Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica c. 95 BC |
| Died | 46 BC |
| Cause of death | Suicide |
| Occupations | Politician and General |
| Office | Tribune of the Plebs (59 BC) Curule Aedile(57 BC) Praetor (55 BC) Interrex (53 BC) Consul (52 BC) |
| Spouse | Aemilia Lepida |
| Children | Metellus Scipio Cornelia Metella |
| Parent | Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Roman Republic Pompey (49–46 BC) |
| Branch | Roman army |
| Rank | Legate |
| Wars | |
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio (c. 95 – 46 BC), often referred to as Metellus Scipio, was a Roman politician and military commander. Ronald Syme called him "the last Scipio of any consequence in Roman history."
He was born a member of the patrician Cornelii Scipiones family and initially named Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica after his father. After reaching adulthood, he was adopted into the plebeian Caecilii Metelli family, taking his unusually complex final name.
He was a member of the Roman Senate and held the series of increasingly powerful offices that formed the cursus honorum, culminating in the consulship of 52 BC. As an aristocratic and conservative politician, he opposed the populist policies of the First Triumvirate.
During Caesar's civil war, he supported the senatorial faction led by Pompey against Julius Caesar. He used his position as proconsul of the province of Syria to raise troops for the war, then commanded them in subsequent actions. Metellus Scipio led the centre at the Battle of Pharsalus and was overall commander at the Battle of Thapsus, both defeats. Fleeing across the sea after Thapsus, he was caught at the naval Battle of Hippo Regius. Facing imminent capture, he killed himself with a stoicism that was later commended by Seneca the Younger.