Fabius Maximus, Quintus << FAH bee uhs MAK suh muhs, KWIHN tuhs >> (275?-203 B.C.), was a Roman military leader known for his strategy of wearing down the enemy but avoiding any decisive conflict. He was a hero of the Second Punic War (218-201 B.C.) between ancient Rome and Carthage, a city in northern Africa.
In 217 B.C., the great Carthaginian general Hannibal won a major victory over the Romans at Lake Trasimene, in northern Italy. In response to this military emergency, the people appointed Fabius, who had already held several high Roman offices, to the powerful temporary office of dictator. As dictator, Fabius followed a strategy of avoiding full-scale battles with Hannibal. Instead, he tried to slowly wear down the Carthaginian army in small raids and skirmishes. This strategy earned Fabius the nickname Cunctator (The Delayer).
Many Romans opposed Fabius’s tactics. After Fabius stepped down as dictator at the end of 217 B.C., Roman leaders reversed his policy and sought a major battle with Hannibal. However, the new Roman policy resulted in a disastrous Roman defeat at Cannae, in southern Italy. The Romans then returned to Fabius’s cautious strategy, which laid the foundation for Rome’s eventual victory over Carthage.
See also Fabian Society; Hannibal; Punic Wars.
