256/1. Caecillia (130 BC)

AR Denarius (Rome, 130 BC)

O/ Helmeted head of Roma r.; X below chin; Q METE behind.

R/ Jupiter in slow quadriga r., holding branch, reins & thunderbolt. ROMA in ex.

Crawford 256/1 (55 obverse dies/36 reverse dies)

3.69g

Quintus Caecilius Q.f. Q.n. Metellus "Balearicus":

Balearicus belonged to the plebeian gens Caecilia, and to its most famous branch: the Metellii.  This family largely dominated the Res Publica during the second half of the second century BC, partly thanks to the exploits of his homonymous father during the fourth (and last) Macedonian war, for which he was awarded the agnomen Macedonicus.

Macedonicus had four children, who all reached the heights of the cursus honorum.  Lucius C.M. Diadematus was Consul in 117 BC and Censor two years later; Marcus became Praetor in 118 and Consul in 115; and the youngest son, Gaius C.M. Caprarius was Praetor in 117, Consul in 113 and finally Censor in 102.

Balearicus was the eldest of the four brothers.  Like them he had the best career possible, by being elected Praetor in about 126 and Consul three years later.  He was asked to clear the Eastern Mediterranean from the Pirates, who raided trading ships from their base in the Balearic Islands.  He defeated them during his consulship and proconsulship of two years, then founded several colonies there, for which he logically received his agnomen.  He finally became Censor in 120.

Like all the other members of his family, Balearicus was a firm member of the Optimates, opposed to the Gracchi and other populist tribunes.

His son Quintus C.M. Nepos was also Consul in 98 BC.

Collezione : Roman Republic