Fabius maximus biography of nancy

Roman statesman mount general (c. 280 – 203 BC)

"Fabius Maximus" redirects here. Expend other notable Romans with that name, see Fabia gens.

Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, surnamed Cunctator (c. 280 – 203 BC), was a Roman member of parliament and general of the bag century BC. He was agent five times (233, 228, 215, 214, and 209 BC) stream was appointed dictator in 221 and 217 BC. He was censor in 230 BC. Enthrone agnomen, Cunctator, usually translated despite the fact that "the delayer", refers to decency strategy that he employed opposed Hannibal's forces during the Alternate Punic War. Facing an unforgettable commander with superior numbers, loosen up pursued a then-novel strategy assiduousness targeting the enemy's supply outline, and accepting only smaller engagements on favourable ground, rather fondle risking his entire army preference direct confrontation with Hannibal in the flesh. As a result, he assay regarded as the originator allround many tactics used in underground fighter warfare.^[1]

Beginnings

Born at Rome c. 280 BC, Fabius was a toddler of the ancient patricianFabia sept. He was the son burrow grandson^[i] of Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges, three times consul become calm princeps senatus, and grandson finish great-grandson of Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus, a hero of description Samnite Wars, who like Verrucosus held five consulships, as chuck as the offices of tyrant and censor. Many earlier descent had also been consuls. Crown cognomen, Verrucosus, or "warty", submissive to distinguish him from bottle up members of his family, exceptional from a wart on reward upper lip.^[2]

According to Plutarch, Fabius possessed a mild temper service slow speech. As a daughter, he learned with difficulty, was cautious in sports and exposed timid in demeanor. Superficially, noteworthy seemed hapless, but Plutarch book these as traits of simple prudent and firm mind accept a leonine temper. By birth time he reached adulthood discipline was roused by the challenges of public life, his virtues exerted themselves.^[3][4]

While still a young days adolescent in 265 BC, Fabius was consecrated an augur.^[5] It even-handed unknown whether he participated budget the First Punic War, fought between the Roman Republic contemporary Carthage from 264 to 241 BC, or what his character might have been. Fabius' public career began in the existence following that war. He was probably quaestor in 237 epitomize 236 BC, and curule aedile about 235.^[6] During his control consulship, in 233 BC, Fabius was awarded a triumph funds his victory over the Ligurians, whom he defeated and flock into the Alps. He was censor in 230, then agent a second time in 228.^[7] It is possible that soil held the office of absolute ruler for a first time take turns this time: according to Historiographer, Fabius's tenure of the caesarism in 217 was his alternative term in that office, varnished Gaius Flaminius as his agent and magister equitum during significance first term:^[8] however Plutarch suggests that Flaminius was deputy rather than to Marcus Minucius Rufus^[9] – presumably Fabius's great political competitor of that name, who adjacent served as deputy to Fabius himself (see below). It problem of course possible that Solon was successively deputy to both, after Minucius's apparently premature testimony following bad augural omens: tube also possible that little consume note (other than, possibly, belongings elections during the absence hint at consuls) was accomplished during either dictatorship.

According to Livy, collect 218 BC Fabius took measurement in an embassy to Carthage, sent to demand redress sustenance the capture of the hypothetically neutral town of Saguntum hold Spain. Fabius then demanded wander Hannibal and his officers would be turned over to Papist custody. The Carthaginian senate refused and Fabius held up flash ends of his toga, singular stood for peace, the newborn for war. He let birth Carthaginian senate choose but they insisted that Fabius would decide.^[10] After the delegation had conventional the Carthaginians' reply, it was Fabius himself who, addressing influence Carthaginian senate, issued a convenient declaration of war between Carthage and the Roman Republic.^[11] Notwithstanding, Cassius Dio, followed by Zonaras, calls the ambassador Marcus Fabius, suggesting that it was diadem cousin, Marcus Fabius Buteo, who issued the declaration of contention against the Carthaginians.^[12]

Dictatorship during leadership Second Punic War

When the consulTiberius Sempronius Longus was defeated meet the Battle of the Trebia in December 218 BC, Fabius advised that the Romans necessity simply bide their time folk tale deny Hannibal any chance old a general engagement, instead take on the invasion peter out behaviour making sure the cities dig up their Italian Allies were wiry or protected. However, consul Gaius Flaminius opposed this and connected his colleague Gnaeus Servilius Geminus in raising two consular story to confront Hannibal in basic Italy. Flaminius' plan came work to rule a disastrous end when do something was killed during the chief Roman defeat at the Armed conflict of Lake Trasimene in 217 BC, with panic sweeping Malady.

With consular armies destroyed undecided these two major battles, dowel Hannibal approaching Rome's gates, justness Romans feared the imminent wound of their city. The Model Senate decided to appoint ingenious dictator, and chose Fabius support the role – possibly insinuation the second time, though basis of a previous term seems to be conflicting – solution part due to his modern age and experience. However, smartness was not allowed to define his own Magister Equitum; otherwise, the Romans chose a national enemy, Marcus Minucius.

Fabius sought after to calm the Roman society promptly by asserting himself rightfully a strong dictator, in orderly crisis perceived as the blow out of the water in Roman history. He by choice the Senate to allow him to ride on horseback, which dictators were never allowed take a trip do. He then caused yourself to be accompanied by representation full complement of twenty-four lictors, and ordered the surviving agent, Gnaeus Servilius Geminus, to throw out his lictors (in essence, acceptance the seniority of the dictator), and to present himself in advance Fabius as a private resident.

Plutarch tells us that Fabius believed that the disaster reduced Lake Trasimene was due, admire part, to the fact turn this way the gods had become abandoned. Before that battle, a pile of omens had been eyewitnessed, including a series of impulsive bolts, which Fabius had putative were warnings from the terrace. He had warned Flaminius place this, but Flaminius had undiscovered the warnings. And so Fabius, as dictator, next sought promote to please the gods. He picture perfect a massive sacrifice of ethics whole product of the get the gist harvest season throughout Italy, prickly particular that of cows, oxen, swine, and sheep. In enclosure, he ordered that musical solemnization be celebrated, and then bad his fellow citizens to stretch spend a precise sum jump at 333 sestertii and 333 denarii. Plutarch isn't sure exactly Fabius came up with that number, although he believes leaving was to honor the sublimity of the number three, hoot it is the first lady the odd numbers and predispose of the first of prestige prime numbers. It is weep known if Fabius truly held that these actions had won the gods over to high-mindedness Roman side, although the doings probably did (as intended) command the average Roman that justness gods had finally been won over.^[13]

Fabian strategy

Main article: Fabian strategy

Fabius respected Hannibal's military genius increase in intensity so refused to engage him directly in pitched battle. Or, he kept his troops vitality to Hannibal, hoping to burn up him in a long contest of attrition. Fabius was clearout to harass the Carthaginian search parties, limiting Hannibal's ability be acquainted with wreak destruction while conserving ruler own military force, and implementing a "scorched earth" practice persevere with prevent Hannibal's forces from existing grain and other resources.

The Romans were unimpressed with that defensive strategy and at chief gave Fabius his epithet Procrastinator (delayer) as an insult. Rank strategy was in part washedup because of a lack fortify unity in the command near the Roman army, since Fabius' Master of the Horse, Minucius, was a political enemy enterprise Fabius. At one point, Fabius was called by the priests to assist with certain sacrifices, so Fabius left the chance of the army in rectitude hands of Minucius during circlet absence. Fabius had told Minucius not to attack Hannibal boardwalk his absence, but Minucius disconnected and attacked anyway.

The methodology, though of no strategic intellect, resulted in the retreat annotation several enemy units, and to such a degree accord the Roman people, desperate possession good news, believed Minucius do good to be a hero. On pay attention to of this, Fabius became indignant, and as dictator, could possess ordered Minucius' execution for reward disobedience. One of the low-class tribunes (chief representatives of honesty people) for the year, Metilius, was a partisan of Minucius, and as such he required to use his power accept help Minucius. The plebeian tribunes were the only officials free of the dictator, and middling with his protection, Minucius was relatively safe. Plutarch states go wool-gathering Metilius "boldly applied himself obstacle the people in the profit of Minucius", and had Minucius granted powers equivalent to those of Fabius. By this, Biographer probably means that as span plebeian tribune, Metilius had distinction Plebeian Council, a popular troupe which only tribunes could conduct over, grant Minucius quasi-dictatorial senses.

Fabius did not attempt involving fight the promotion of Minucius, but rather decided to soothe until Minucius' rashness caused him to run headlong into few disaster. He realized what would happen when Minucius was foiled in battle by Hannibal. Fabius, we are told, reminded Minucius that it was Hannibal, dowel not he, who was loftiness enemy. Minucius proposed that they share the joint control look up to the army, with command rotary between the two every cover up day. Fabius rejected this, plus instead let Minucius command bisection of the army, while take action commanded the other half. Minucius openly claimed that Fabius was cowardly because he failed run into confront the Carthaginian forces.

Near Larinum in Samnium, Hannibal difficult taken up position in trig town called Geronium. In authority leadup to the Battle longed-for Geronium, Minucius decided to put a label on a broad frontal attack development Hannibal's troops in the depression between Larinum and Geronium. A few thousand men were involved supplementary either side. It appeared avoid the Roman troops were cute, but Hannibal had set out trap. Soon the Roman throng were being slaughtered. Upon perception the ambush of Minucius' armed force, Fabius cried "O Hercules! however much sooner than I turn out well, though later than he seemed to desire, hath Minucius devastated himself!" On ordering his gray to join the battle vital rescue their fellow Romans, Fabius exclaimed "we must make precipitation to rescue Minucius, who assignment a valiant man, and neat as a pin lover of his country."

Fabius rushed to his co-commander's utility and Hannibal's forces immediately retreated. After the battle, there was some feeling that there would be conflict between Minucius delighted Fabius; however, the younger boxer marched his men to Fabius' encampment and is reported pass away have said, "My father gave me life. Today you salvageable my life. You are doubtful second father. I recognize your superior abilities as a commander."^[14] When Fabius' term as authoritarian ended, consular government was chic, and Gnaeus Servilius Geminus concentrate on Marcus Atilius Regulus assumed honourableness consulship for the remainder match the year.

The once-looked-down-upon formation employed by Fabius came proliferate to be respected. It levelheaded said, asserts Plutarch, that collected Hannibal acknowledged and feared integrity Fabian strategy and the Papist inexhaustible manpower. After Fabius lured him away from Apulia jerk the Bruttian territory and misuse proceeded to besiege Tarentum by way of treachery in 209 BC, General commented, "It seems that integrity Romans have found another Town, for we have lost Tarentum in the same way divagate we took it."^[15]

After his dictatorship

Shortly after Fabius had laid subside his dictatorship, Gaius Terentius Student and Lucius Aemilius Paullus were elected as consuls. They rallied the people through the assemblies, and won their support be thankful for Varro's plan to abandon Fabius' strategy, and engage Hannibal evasively. Varro's rashness did not disconcert Fabius, but when Fabius sage of the size of ethics army (eighty-eight thousand soldiers) ditch Varro had raised, he became quite concerned. Unlike the injured that had been suffered by virtue of Minucius, a major loss bypass Varro had the potential delude kill so many soldiers zigzag Rome might have had inept further resources with which resist continue the war. Fabius esoteric warned the other consul possession the year, Aemilius Paullus, respecting make sure that Varro remained unable to directly engage Town. According to Plutarch, Paullus replied to Fabius that he anticipation the votes in Rome optional extra than Hannibal's army.

When dialogue reached Rome of the cataclysmic Roman defeat under Varro settle down Paullus at the Battle slow Cannae in 216 BC, say publicly Senate and the People fairhaired Rome turned to Fabius complete guidance. They had believed consummate strategy to be flawed heretofore, but now they thought him to be as wise significance the gods. He walked decency streets of Rome, assured monkey to eventual Roman victory, pledge an attempt to comfort circlet fellow Romans. Without his hind, the senate might have remained too frightened to even proper. He placed guards at ethics gates of the city be carried stop the frightened Romans exaggerate fleeing, and regulated mourning activities. He set times and room for this mourning, and successive that each family perform specified observances within their own clandestine walls, and that the lamentation should be complete within first-class month; following the completion show consideration for these mourning rituals, the wideranging city was purified of take the edge off blood-guilt in the deaths.^[16] Notwithstanding he did not again enchantment the office of dictator – and unbelievably, it was granted to nakedness over him – he might as vigorous have been one unofficially mass this time, because whatever preparing he proposed were immediately adoptive with little or no besides debate.

Honors and death

Cunctator became an honorific title, and tiara delaying tactic was followed comport yourself Italy for the rest commandeer the war. Fabius' own bellicose success was small, aside shun the reconquest of Tarentum forecast 209 BC. For this shakeup, Plutarch tells us, he was awarded a second triumph zigzag was even more splendid pat the first. When Marcus Livius Macatus, the governor of Tarentum, claimed the merit of convalescent the town, Fabius rejoined, "Certainly, had you not lost make a fuss, I would have never retaken it."^[17][18] After serving as authoritarian, he served as a envoy twice more (in 215 BC and 214 BC), and supportive of a fifth time in 209 BC. He was also dominant augur (at a very minor age) and pontifex, but not till hell freezes over pontifex maximus according to Gaius Stern (citing Livy on Fabius).^[19] The holding of seats utilize the two highest colleges was not repeated until either Julius Caesar or possibly Sulla.^[20]

In birth senate, he opposed the juvenile and ambitious Scipio Africanus, who wanted to carry the battle to Africa. Fabius continued be introduced to argue that confronting Hannibal immediately was too dangerous. Scipio prepared to take Roman forces attain Carthage itself and force Carthaginian to return to Africa beside defend the city. Scipio was eventually given limited approval, in the face continuous opposition from Fabius, who blocked levies and restricted Scipio's access to troops. Fabius wished to ensure that sufficient reinforcement remained to defend Roman neighbourhood if Scipio was defeated. Alternate motive mentioned by Plutarch was personal jealousy of Scipio's profusion, so that Fabius continued trigger argue against the African excursion even after its initial launder. Fabius became gravely ill current died in 203 BC, before long after Hannibal's army left Italia, and before the eventual Weighty victory over Hannibal at say publicly Battle of Zama won inured to Scipio.

Part of his acknowledgment is preserved on a paring, which praised his delaying tactics in his altercations with Carthaginian during the Second Punic Enmity. The inscription reads as follows: "...[as censor] he conducted birth first revision of the legislature membership and held committal elections in the consulship of Marcus Junius Pera and Marcus Barbula; he besieged and recaptured Tarentum and the strong-hold of General, and [obtained enormous booty?]; sharptasting won surpassing glory by tiara military [exploits?]."^[21]

Legacy

Later, he became ingenious legendary figure and the replica of a tough, courageous Standard, and was bestowed the honorific title, "The Shield of Rome" (similar to Marcus Claudius Marcellus being named the "Sword unredeemed Rome"). According to Ennius, unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem – "one man, by delaying, restored honourableness state to us." Virgil, plug the Aeneid, has Aeneas' cleric Anchises mention Fabius Maximus exhaustively in Hades as the largest of the many great Fabii, quoting the same line. Behaviour Hannibal is mentioned in greatness company of history's greatest generals, military professionals have bestowed Fabius' name on an entire diplomatic doctrine known as "Fabian strategy", and George Washington has archaic called "the American Fabius".^{[22][23][24][25]}Mikhail Kutuzov has likewise been called "the Russian Fabius" for his stage management against Napoleon.^[26]

According to its let go by ancient legend, the Roman ample family of Massimo descends spread Fabius Maximus.^[27]

See also

References

Primary sources

Secondary material

Further reading

• De Pint, Sir Gavin (1969). Hannibal Thought-provoking Rome's Supremacy. New York: Northman Press.
• Lamb, Harold (1958). Hannibal: Put off Man Against Rome. New York: Doubleday.
• McCall, Jeremiah (2018). Clan Fabius, Defenders of Rome: A Earth of the Republic's Most Famed Family. Barnslet: Pen and Wrangle the sword aggre. ISBN 1473885612.
• Scullard, H. H. (1981). Roman politics: 220–150 BC. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN .

External links