Book LXIX.
Lucius Apuleius Saturninus, aided by Marius,—the soldiers having killed his
competitor, Aulus Nonius,—having been forcibly elected praetor, exercised his
office with a violence equal to that by which he obtained it. Having procured an Agrarian
law, he summons Metellus Numidicus to stand his trial before the people, for refusing to
swear to the observance of it. Metellus, notwithstanding he enjoyed the protection of all
the best men in the state, yet, being unwilling to furnish matter of dispute, retires into
voluntary exile, to Rhodes: there he passed his time entirely in study, and in receiving
the visits of men of eminent character. [Y.R. 652. B.C. 100.] Caius Marius, the chief
promoter of the sedition, who had now purchased a fourth consulship, by openly
distributing money among the tribes, pronounced sentence of banishment upon him after his
departure. The same Appuleius Saturninus murders Caius Memmius, who was a candidate for
the consulship, fearing lest he might have, in him, a strenuous opposer of his evil
actions. By which conduct the senate was aroused, and Caius Marius, when he could no
longer defend Saturninus, being a man of fickle and ver-
[p. 2190] satile
disposition, who always suited his plans to circumstances, joined it. Saturninus, with
Glaucias, and other participators of the same mad conduct, having been overpowered by
force of arms, was killed in what may be considered a war. [Y.R. 653. B.C. 99.] Quintus
Caecilius Metellus was recalled from banishment by the decided favour of the whole state.
Marcus Aquilius, the proconsul, put an end to the servile war in Sicily.