Clan Fabius, defenders of Rome : a history of the republic's most illustrious family

The history of the Fabii Maximii is in many ways that of the Roman Republic. In the legends and historical scraps that survived the Republic, the members of the Fabius clan were, more often than not, the hammers that forged the empire. Few families contributed more to the survival and success of the Republic and for so many centuries. Few could boast such great glories; perhaps none could match the record of Fabian offices and honours in the Republic. Though the bloodline sank into obscurity in the early empire, the name still carried memories of great achievements past. A historical detective work, this book explores the facts and fables of the Republic s most distinguished family. Chapters investigate not only the lives and careers of the Fabii Maximi, but the critical military and political contexts of their days. As a result, readers get not only the story of the Roman Republic s rise and domination of an empire, but a closer look at a family of Romans who made it possible.

The history of the Fabii Maximii is in many ways that of the Roman Republic. In the legends and historical scraps that survived the Republic, the members of the Fabius clan were, more often than not, the hammers that forged the empire. Few families contributed more to the survival and success of the Republic and for so many centuries. Few could boast such great glories; perhaps none could match the record of Fabian offices and honours in the Republic. Though the bloodline sank into obscurity in the early empire, the name still carried memories of great achievements past.A historical detective work, this book explores the facts and fables of the Republics most distinguished family. Chapters investigate not only the lives and careers of the Fabii Maximi, but the critical military and political contexts of their days. As a result, readers get not only the story of the Roman Republics rise and domination of an empire, but a closer look at a family of Romans who made it possible.

HISTORY / Military / Ancient Cover 1 Dedication 3 Book Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Chapter 1: Introduction 8 Chapter 2: Shadows of the Past: The Fabii and the Fledgling Republic 17 Chapter 3: The First Fabius Maximus, Rullianus and the Samnite Wars 40 Chapter 4: The Battle of Sentinum 74 Chapter 5: Fabius Maximus Cunctator and the War against Hannibal 93 Chapter 6: The Fabian Strategy and the End of the War 122 Chapter 7: Spanish Wars, Gallic Wars, Civil Wars and the End of the Line 156 Appendix A: Roman Names 177 Appendix B: Glossary of Some Technical Terms 178 Appendix C: Glossary of Major Sources for the Republic 180 Appendix D: Online Sources of Ancient Authors in Translation 182 Notes 184 Bibliography 202 Index 205 Back Cover 210 A highly original investigation, tracing the fortunes of a single Roman clan, one of the most illustrious of the Republic.