27. L.CaeciliusMetellusCreticus, a son probably of No. 24 (comp. Cic. Ver. 3.68), was tribune of the plebs, B. C. 49, and, true to the hereditary principles of his family, distinguished himself by his warm support of the aristocracy. He did not fly from Rome on the approach of Caesar with Pompey and the rest of his party, but remained behind in the city. He also showed his courage in attempting to prevent Caesar from taking possession of the sacred treasury, and only gave way upon being threatened with death. (Plut. Caes. 35, Pomp. 62; D. C. 41.17; Appian, App. BC 2.41; Caes. Civ. 1.33; Lucan, 3.114, &c.; Cic. Att. 10.4, 8.) He soon afterwards left Rome, and was at Capua at the beginning of March, when Pompey was on the point of leaving Italy. Cicero mentions Clodia as his mother-in-law, who may perhaps have been the wife of Metellus, consul B. C. 60. [No. 20.] (Cic. Att. 9.6.3.)
There was a Metellus who fought on the side of Antony in the last civil war, was taken prisoner at the battle of Actium, and whose life was spared by Octavian at the intercession of his son, who had fought on the side of the latter. (Appian, App. BC 4.42.) The elder of these Metelli may have been the tribune of B. C. 49; but this is only conjecture.