fabius maximus

English - English

Definition of fabius maximus in English English dictionary

{i} Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus (275-203 B.C.), Roman general and statesman who won the battle against Hannibal in the Second Punic War by delaying the fighting in order to allow the Roman army to recuperate

Related Terms

Quintus Fabius Maximus Cunctator

died 203 BC Roman commander and statesman. He served as consul in 233 BC (an office he would hold five times) and censor in 230. Elected dictator in 217, he used a strategy of harassment and attrition in the Second Punic War against Hannibal (218-201). These cautious delaying tactics (Cunctator means "delayer") allowed Rome to recover and take the offensive, but Roman impatience led to defeat at the Battle of Cannae. He unsuccessfully opposed the invasion of Africa by Scipio Africanus in 205

Hyphenation

fabius max·i·mus