quintus caecilius metellus pius cornelianus scipio nasica (c. 100/98 bc – 46 bc), in modern scholarship often referred to as metellus scipio, was a roman consul and military commander in the late republic. during the civil war between julius caesar and the senatorial faction led by pompeius magnus ("pompey the great"), he remained a staunch optimate. he led troops against caesar's forces, mainly in the battles of pharsalus and thapsus, where he was defeated. he later committed suicide. ronald syme called him "the last scipio of any consequence in roman history."