Metel´li

The surname of the family of the Cæcilii at Rome, the most noted of whom are—a general who defeated the Achæans, took Thebes, and invaded Macedonia; Quintus Cæcilius, rendered famous by his succe es against Jugurtha, the king of Numidia; Q. Cæcilius Celer, who distinguished himself against Cat i line. He died fifty-seven years B.C. , greatly lamented by Cicero, who was one of his warmest friends; L. Cæcilius, a tribune in the civil wars of Cæsar and Pompey, who favored the cause of Pompey; Q. Caæilius, a warlike general who conquered Crete and Macedonia; Me tell us Cimber, one of the conspirators against Cæsar. He gave the signal to attack and murder the dictator.