Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius (c. 128 – 63 BC) was a general and statesman of the Roman Republic. Like the other members of the influential Caecilii Metelli family, he was a leader of the conservative faction, the Optimates, who opposed the popular faction, the Populares, during the last century of the Roman Republic. His father Metellus Numidicus was banished from Rome through the machinations of Gaius Marius and the Populares. He, because of his constant and unbending attempts to have his father officially recalled from exile, was given the agnomen (nickname) Pius.During the civil wars between 88 and 80 BC, Pius sided with Lucius Cornelius Sulla and the Optimates. He successfully commanded Sulla's forces in the northern theatre (northern Italy and Cisalpine Gaul).