Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer ( – 59 BC) was a Roman politician who was consul in 60 BC and in the next year opposed Pompey, Caesar, and the so-called First Triumvirate's political programme. He was a member of the powerful and influential plebeian noble family, the Caecilii Metelli. Prior to 62 BC, he was an ally of Pompey and had served as urban praetor in 63, augur by 63 BC, possibly aedile in 67 BC, and plebeian tribune in either 72 or 68 BC. Life and career During the Third Mithridatic War (73-63 BC) against Mithridates VI of Pontus and Tigranes the Great of Armenia, Celer was a commander of some sort. TRS Broughton in the Magistrates of the Roman Republic suggests he possibly was a legate, military tribune, or quaestor. The nature of his command is unknown. He evidently returned to Rome by the early 60s, as he held the plebeian tribunate in either 72 or 68 BC. He may have been plebeian aedile in 67 BC but there is substantial doubt. Following his urban magistracies, if they occurred, he served as a legate under Pompey in 66 BC. In the winter of 66 BC, Oroeses, king of the Caucasian Albanians attacked Pompey's army during Saturnalia celebrations in Lesser Armenia. Pompey had split his army into three divisions. Celer was in charge of one of them and custodian of Tigranes the Younger of Armenia. Celer vigorously repulsed Oroeses while Flaccus and Pompey, who were in charge of the other two divisions, defeated the other Albanians.