How did it happen that Tremere Antitribu died out? They seem to be pretty tough, and in Sabbat mindset especially dangerous. Was it that Tsimitsce wiped them out because of old grudges between clans?
I don't recall if the purpose of the ritual was ever revealed, but speculation had it that Tremere enacted a ritual to bump himself back up to Antediluvian-levels of power in order to be able to defeat Saulot and get his body back.