Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer[1] (before 103 BC or c. 100 BC – 59 BC) was a Consul in 60 BC and son of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos, or, according to some, the son of Tribune Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer while the latter is the son of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos. Previously he held the offices of Legate in 66 BC, Praetor in 63 BC and Propraetor of Cisalpine Gaul in 62 BC.[2] and Augur[3] Celer was once sent to Picenum and Gaul in order to gather the troops against Catilina. Celer blocked the mountain gates and impeded Catilina to pass through Apennines to Gaul.[4] Originally serving in Pompeius' army, Celer then came into conflict with him and was imprisoned. Celer was married to Clodia Maior and had a daughter Caecilia Metella.
He was a Lieutenant of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in the Army of Asia and defeated Oroezes, King of Albania in 65 BC. He was then charged with occupying the Picenum and the Senones and sent to Cisalpine Gaul as Proconsul.
He died suddenly in 59 BC, according to some poisoned by his wife and cousin Clodia Maior Quadrantaria - daughter of Appius Claudius Pulcher and wife Caecilia Metella - notorious debauched, lover of her brother Clodius, of Caelius, possibly of the great lyric Poet Catullus (who chanted her as Lesbia) and many others.[5]
| Preceded by Marcus Pupius Piso Frugi Calpurnianus, Marcus Valerius Messalla Niger |
Consul 60 BC, with Lucius Afranius |
Succeeded by Julius Caesar, Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus |