This man, who had declared so often that he had served his country, and who really had crushed the Catilinarians by his industry and readiness, might, after all, be coming forward as another Sulla, and looking to make himself master by dint of his virtues and his eloquence.

The hopelessness of the condition of the Republic may be recognized in the increasing conspiracies which were hatched on every side.

Metellus Nepos was sent home from Asia in aid of the conspiracy, and got himself made Tribune, and stopped Cicero's speech.

In conjunction with Caesar, who was Praetor, he proposed his new law for the calling of Pompey to their aid.

Then there was a fracas between him and Caesar on the one side and Cato on the other, in which Cato at last was so far victorious that both Caesar and Metellus were stopped in the performance of their official duties.