Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus Cunctator
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Background
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Roman politician and general, born in Rome around 280 BC and died in Rome in 203 BC.
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Roman Consul five times (233 BC, 228 BC, 215 BC, 214 BC and 209 BC) and was
twice Dictator in 221 and again in 217 BC
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His agnomen Cunctator means "delayer" in Latin, and refers to his tactics in deploying his
troops during the Second Punic War.
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His cognomen Verrucosus means "warty", a reference to a wart above his upper lip.
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Early Life/Career
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According to his biographer Plutrach, Fabius possessed a mild temper and slowness in
speaking.
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These traits proceeded from stability, greatness in mind and lionikeness of temper.
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Most likely participated in the First Punic War, although no details of his role.
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Dictatorship
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Put into power after the death of Consul Gaius Flammius, after Battle of Lake Trasimene
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Plutarch tells us, Fabius believed that the lose at Lake Trasimene was partly due to
neglecting the gods
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As Dictator, he sought to please the gods, ordered massive sacrifice of goats, swine and
sheep.
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Ordered richer citizens to spend a precise sum of 333 sestertia & 333 denarii.
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Plutarch is unsure about the number although believed that it was to honur the perfection
of the number three. The first odd number and one of the first prime numbers
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The Fabian Strategy
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Fabius was aware of the military superiority of the Carthaginans
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Refused to meet Hannibal head on after he invaded Italy
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Decided to harass Carthaginian foraging parties, limiting Hannibals ability to wreak havoc
and maintain his military force at the same time
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The delaying tactics involved both pincering Hannibal’s forces while exercising a “scorched
earth” practice to prevent Hannibal’s forces obtaining grain and other resources
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The Fabian Strategy Cont.
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Romans unimpressed with this defensive strategy and gave Fabius his epithet “Cunctator” as
an insult
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Strategy partly runied, lack of unity in the army
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Fabius’ Master of the Horse, Minucius, was a political enemy of Fabius
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Minucius agaisnt Fabius’ command lead half of Fabius’ army into battle against Hannibal’s
troops
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They were ambushed, seeing this Fabius rushed to help his army, Hannibals troops retreated
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Minucius after being saved by Fabius placed himself under his rule saying , "My father gave
me life. Today you saved my life. You are my second father. I recognize your superior
abilities as a commander.”
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After Dictatorship
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Gaius Terentius Varro, took over from Fabius
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Abandoning Fabius’ strategy and engaging Hannibal directly
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Fabius warned the other Consul Aemilius Paullus, to change Varro’s mind
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After the Roman defeat under Varro and Paullus at the Battle of Cannae, the Senate turned
to Fabius for guidance
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Honours and Death
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Cunctator became an honorific title
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His delaying tactic was followed for the rest of the war
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Own military success was small, apart from reconquest of Tarentum in 209 BC
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Cheif Augur (priest and official) at a young age and Pontifex Maximus (highest priest of the
college of Pontiffs or priests, most important position in Roman religion). A combination not
repeated until Julius Caesar
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Fabius died 203, after Hannibal’s army left Italy, but before the Roman victory over Hannibal
at the Battle of Zama
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Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus
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Background
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Also known as Scipio Africanus and Scipio the Elder
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He was a general in the Second Punic War and statesman of the Roman Republic.
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Best known for defeating Hannibal at the final battle of the Second Punic War at Zama
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Earned him the agnomen Africanus, The nickname “The Roman Hannibal”
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As well as the recognition of one of the finest commanders in Roman military history
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Early Military Service
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Joined the Roman struggle against Carthage in the Second Punic War
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Said to have promised to his father to continue to fight the Carthaginians (similar to
Hannibal)
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Survived the battles of Ticinus, Trebia and Cannae
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Despite several defeats at the hands of the Carthaginians, Scipio foused on securing Romans
victory over Carthage
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Scipio was never again to see a Roman force defeated once he turned 25
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Campaign in Hispania
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211-20 BC Scipio asked to take on the campaign after his father died.
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All of Hispania south of the Ebro river was under Carthaginian control
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Scipio landed at the mouth of the Ebro river and was able to capture Cathago Nova (New
Carthage), headquarters of the Carthaginian power in Haspania
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His treatment of prisoners and hostages portrayed the Romans as liberators rather then
conquers
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Livy tells a story of a women who was captured and given to Scipio, who returned her to her
fiance, bringing his tribes support to the Roman army
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Campaign in Hispania Cont.
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209 BC , Scipio drives back Hasbrubal Barca, from position in Baecula
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Historical criticism has been levelled at Scipio’s inability to effectively pursue Hasdrubal
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Most probable explanation from a strategic point would be Scipio did not want to be
trapped between Hasdrubals army and the armies of Gisgo and Mago
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After winning over a number of Hispanian chiefs, Scipio achieved a victory in 206BC over the
full Carthaginian levy at Ilipa
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Lead to the evacuation of Punic commanders from Hispania
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African Campaign
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205BC elected Consulship
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Wanted to go to Africa instead sent to Sicily and was not given an army
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Raised a volunteer army in Sicily
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Roman Senate allowed Scipio to cross from Sicily to Africa, but was given no financial or
military support
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203BC he deafeted the combined armies of Carthage and Numidia, by setting their camps on
fire at night
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Both Polybius and Livy estimate the death toll in this single attack exceeded 40,000
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Historians from both sides view this tactic as either brilliant or cowardly however there is
evidence to suggest that Hannibal was planning an ambush for Scipio if he had not attacked
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African Campaign Cont.
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Scipio dethroned Syphax and ensured Prince Masinissa coronation as King of the Numidians.
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Ensuring the support of their cavalry which Carthage had relied to heavily upon
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War with Hannibal
Battle of Zama
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Hannibal had a trained pool of soldiers who had fought in Italy, as well as eighty war
elephants.
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Hannibal could boast a strength of 58,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalry, compared to Scipio's
34,000 infantry and 8,700 cavalry
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Meet on a plain between Carthage and Utica, and Scipio ended up victorious
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Legacy - Military
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Considered by many to be one of Rome’s greatest generals, he never lost a battle after 25
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According to Livy, Hannibal regarded Scipio as a equal after Alexander and Pyrrhus
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Legacy - Political
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First Roman general to expand Roman terrotories outside of Italy and the islands around the
main land
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He conquered the Carthaginian territory of Iberia
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His defeat of Hannibal at Zama paved the way for Carthage's eventual destruction in 146 BC
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Legacy – Political Cont.
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The true measure of Scipio's character can perhaps been seen by his behaviour shortly after
returning in triumph from Africa to a grateful Rome.
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Scipio refused to accept demands for him to become perpetual consul and dictator. For his
self restraint in putting the good of the republic ahead of his own gain
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Scipio was praised by Livy for showing uncommon greatness of mind
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Bibliography
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Plutarch, The Parallel Lives III - The Life of Fabius Maximus
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History of Rome by Livy - Book XXVII Chapter 15: Tarentum recovered by treason[209 BC]
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http://www.roman-empire.net/army/zama.html
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http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/655514/Battle-of-Zama
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http://www.enotes.com