Quintus Fabius Maximus (suffect consul)

Quintus Fabius Maximus († December 31, 45 BC ) was a Roman senator from the Fabier family and was 45 BC. Chr. Suffect consul .

Life

Quintus Fabius Maximus was the son of the same name, described as very lavish, Quintus Fabius Maximus and the grandson of the consul from 121 BC. BC, Quintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus . So Fabius could justifiably proudly claim that he descended from the noble families of the Aemilii, Cornelii and Fabii.

59 BC Fabius was one of the accusers of Gaius Antonius Hybrida , who was suspected of being consul in 63 BC. To have been involved in the Catiline conspiracy . Although defended by Marcus Tullius Cicero , Antonius Hybrida was found guilty. The office of a curular aedile was held by Fabius in 57 BC. Together with Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio . In this role, both wanted to renew the memory of their common ancestors. So they commissioned Titus Pomponius Atticus to write a history of the families of Aemilii, Cornelii and Fabii Maximi. Fabius also had his grandfather's triumphal arch, the Fornix Fabianus , restored and his own statue set up there. However, the aediles had done too little to counter the sharp rise in prices and therefore felt the discontent of the common Romans; instead, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus had to devote himself to the security of the grain supply with special powers.

Since Cicero did not report anything about Fabius, who belonged to such important Roman families, it is likely that Fabius had already switched to the side of the aspiring Gaius Julius Caesar , although he would have been on the side of his opponents due to his descent have to stand. Accordingly, these seem to have blocked his further career to higher offices. It is not known whether, and if so, in which year Fabius held the praetur . 46 BC He was with Quintus Pedius as legate in command of the troops of the future dictator in Spain . End of 46 BC Finally, Caesar himself came to Spain to personally lead the army against his civil war opponents who had remained after the death of Pompey (48 BC). Fabius fought as a legate of his commander-in- chief until his victory in the battle of Munda (March 17, 45 BC) and was then appointed commander of the troops that were to storm Munda. He was subsequently able to cope with this task. In September Fabius came back to Rome and was awarded the suffect consulate for the last three months of 45 BC. Excellent. A few days after his own triumph , Caesar also allowed the newly crowned consul to hold a triumph over Spain (October 13, 45 BC), although Fabius had not achieved his successes under his own empire . This gave rise to ridicule of the dictator in Rome. Since Fabius suddenly died on the last day of his term of office, Caesar appointed a new suffect consul ( Gaius Caninius Rebilus ), who only worked on December 31, 45 BC. Officiated, whereby the dictator attracted new ridicule.

Fabius had two sons, Paullus Fabius Maximus and Africanus Fabius Maximus . The choice of their first names again shows his pride in his descent from the famous families mentioned.

literature

• Friedrich Münzer : Fabius 108 . In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume VI, 2, Stuttgart 1909, Col. 1791 f.

Remarks

1. ↑ Fasti Capitolini et al
2. ↑ Cicero, in P. Vatinium testem interrogatio 28 with Scholien Bobienses , p. 321 Or.
3. ↑ Cornelius Nepos , Atticus 18, 4.
4. ↑ allusion to Cicero, in P. Vatinium testem interrogatio 28; Inscriptions on the triumphal arch of the Fabier CIL 6, 1303 .
5. ^ Cicero, fragment from de virtute in Antoine de La Sale .
6. ↑ Bellum Hispaniense 2, 2; 12, 2; Cassius Dio 43, 31, 1.
7. ↑ Fabius' participation in these struggles is only mentioned by Bellum Hispaniense 41, 1ff. mentioned.
8. ↑ Fasti Capitolini ; Cassius Dio 43, 46, 2; among others
9. ↑ triumphal fasting; Cassius Dio 43, 42, 1f .; among others
10. ↑ Quintilian 6, 3, 61; Cassius Dio 43, 42, 1f.
11. ↑ Fasti Capitolini ; Cassius Dio 43, 46, 2; Plutarch , Caesar 58, 1; among others