A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. Q.Calidius, tribune of the plebs in B. C. 99, carried a law in this year for the recall of Q. Metellus Numidicus from banishment. In gratitude for this service, his son Q. Metellus Pius, who was then consul, supported Calidius in his canvas for the praetorship in B. C. 80. Calidius was accordingly praetor in B. C. 79, and obtained one of the Spanish provinces; but, on his return to Rome, he was accused of extortion in his province by Q. Lollius (not Gallius, as the Pseudo-Asconius states), and condemned by his judges, who had been bribed for the purpose. As, however, the bribes had not been large, Calidius made the remark, that a man of praetorian rank ought not to be condemned for a less sum than three million sesterces. (V. Max. 5.2.7; Cic. pro Planc. 28, 29; Cic. Verr. Act. 1.13 ; Pseudo-Ascon. ad loc. ; Cic. Ver. 3.25.) This Calidius may have been the one who was sent from Rome, about B. C. 82, to command Murena to desist from the devastation of the territories of Mithridates. (Appian, App. Mith. 65.)