Pro Caelio - Background and Trial

Background and Trial

Marcus Caelius Rufus was born in 88 or 87 BC, at Interamnia in Picenum, where his father was categorized as a member of the eques (knight) class, a wealthy middle-class placed just below the patrician upper class. From 73 to 63 BC, Caelius served a political apprenticeship under Crassus and Cicero. Throughout this apprenticeship, he became familiar with life in the Roman Forum. In 63 BC, Caelius turned his back on Cicero to support Catiline, who was running for consulship. It is unclear whether or not Caelius supported Catiline after he lost the election and took up arms, but he was not among the people prosecuted for their involvement in the conspiracy.

From 62 to 60, Caelius left Rome to serve in the service of the governor of Africa, Quintus Pompeius Rufus. As a young man, this was a very good opportunity for him to see the world and make a little money. Yet, Caelius still wanted to make a name for himself in Rome, and in April 59 BC, he brought prosecution against Gaius Antonius Hybrida, Cicero’s colleague in the consulship of 63 BC, for extortion. Cicero disapproved of the prosecution and took up Hybrida’s defense. However, Caelius won the trial and gained recognition among Roman citizens.

As a result, Caelius was able to move to the Palatine Hill, renting an apartment from Clodius. His apartment was located near Clodius’ sister, Clodia, who was thirty-six at the time and widowed. Caelius and Clodia soon became lovers. In late 57 or early 56 BC, Caelius broke from the Clodii for some unknown reason. Clodius and Clodia were determined to punish Caelius for leaving them.

On February 11, 56 BC, Caelius charged Lucius Calpurnius Bestia with electoral malpractice in the praetorian elections of 57 BC. Cicero came to Bestia’s defense, successfully acquitting him four times already and doing so once again against Caelius. However, Caelius would not admit defeat and made a second charge against Bestia, who was running for the praetorship once again in the elections of 56 BC. Bestia’s son, Lucius Sempronius Atratinus, did not want his father’s trial to take place so he made a charge against Caelius. If Caelius was convicted, he would no longer be able to proceed with his prosecution against Bestia. Atratinus charged Caelius in the violence court (quaestio de vi) in order to prevent any delay in the proceedings of the trial. Publius Clodius and Lucius Herennius Balbus came to Atratinus’ assistance.