Marc Cecilius belonged to the plebeian family of Ceciliev , descending , according to later genealogical legends, from the son of the god Vulcan Tsekul , the founder of the city of Prenest [1] , or from the satellite of Aeneas named Tseka [2] . His father was Lucius Cecilius Metellus , consul of 251 and 247 BC. e. and the great pontiff. The eldest brothers of Quintus were Quintus , consul in 206 BC. e., and Lucius , the national stands in 213 [3] .
In 216 BC e. he took part in the battle of Cannes and after the defeat fled to Canusius. There, Mark headed the noble youth who wanted to leave Italy, but the military stands of Publius Cornelius Scipio prevented the implementation of these plans and made them swear allegiance to Rome [4] . In 214 BC e. Mark was serving as a quaestor . He was censored by censors for the events two years ago, was stripped of his state horse and transferred to the emperor [5] . In 213 BC e. Mark was elected by the people's tribune and, using his powers, intended to attract censors to the people's court, but this was prevented by his colleagues [6] . Four years later, he was expelled by censors from the list of senators [7] .
In 208 BC e. Mark was appointed to the post of people's tribune. He staged a two-day plebeian games and a feast to Jupiter, and also put three statues in the temple of Ceres . In 206 BC e. received the title of city praetor , at the same time acting as praetor for the affairs of foreigners [8] . In 205 BC e. Mark was part of the embassy, which delivered to Rome from Pessinunt the sacred stone of the Mother of the Gods . Probably in 196 BC. e. he was one of ten legates sent to Macedonia to arrange affairs there after defeating Philip. Nothing more is known about him.