"Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius (c. 130 BC–63 BC) was a Roman politician and general. Like the other members of the influential Caecilii Metelli family, he was ...
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a leader of the Optimates, the conservative faction opposed to 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. The son, 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 (88–80 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). In 81 BC he became Pontifex Maximus, then consul the following year alongside Sulla. As proconsul Pius fought against Sertorius (a former supporter of Marius) on the Iberian Peninsula; in the so-called Sertorian War. He served alongside Pompey slowly grinding down the rebels 79-72/71 BC. For his victories during the Sertorian War he was granted a Triumph." - (en.wikipedia.org 21.06.2020)
