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Q. Fabius Maximus and M. Claudius Marcellus As Models of Heroism in Silius’ Pvnica

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Q. Fabius Maximus and M. Claudius Marcellus As Models of Heroism in Silius’ Pvnica CHAPTER TEN THE SHIELD AND THE SWORD: Q. FABIUS MAXIMUS AND M. CLAUDIUS MARCELLUS AS MODELS OF HEROISM IN SILIUS’ PVNICA Marco Fucecchi 1. Introduction In his Life of Fabius (19.1), Plutarch recounts that soon after the battle of Cannae, when it was clear that Hannibal did not intend to launch a direct attack against the city of Rome, the senate regained the cour- age to send armies and generals against the Carthaginian enemy. Of these, the most famous are Fabius Maximus and Claudius Marcellus, both revered by the people for opposite reasons.1 At this point the Greek writer introduces an unusual, yet ‘anticipated’ syncrisis, which, for a change, involves two Romans and stresses differences rather than similarities between the two leaders (Fab. 19.2–3). Marcellus, as Plu- tarch has already noted elsewhere,2 is a great commander and, even more, a brave and impetuous warrior, very much an example of a Homeric hero: he is warlike (ϕιλοπόλεµος) and proud, fi erce as only a young man could be (ἀγέρωχος).3 Fabius, by contrast, has adopted a different kind of tactics, a sort of guerrilla warfare, by which to stem Hannibal’s raging momentum in Italy after the victories at the Ticinus, Trebia, and Trasimene: he is patient and cautious, but also opportu- nistic. He is convinced that the Carthaginian, when deprived of the prospect of showing his military prowess in pitched battles, will very 1 Fabius had already dealt with Hannibal before Cannae (Fab. 4–13); Marcellus would clash with the Carthaginian only after that great defeat. 2 In Marc. 1 and 9, which the author claims to have composed before the Life of Fabius (Fab. 19.2). 3 Plu. Marc. 1.2 and Fab. 19.2. Other keywords include πλήκτης (“strong and aggres- sive”) and τὸ γαῦρον (“fi erceness, boldness”). Nonetheless in Marc. 1.3, Plutarch hints at the more relaxed human temperament which characterizes the hero in his everyday life, together with a genuine fondness for Greek culture. Marcellus is younger than Fabius (who dies a few years later), but the opposition young vs. old is also infl uenced by the polarization of characters (see also n. 62 and the conclusion). 220 marco fucecchi soon be weakened and lose confi dence, as well as the power to attract new allies to his side. At the conclusion of this brief comparison, Plutarch (Fab. 19.3 and Marc. 9.7) appropriates a story regarding the two generals given by the stoic philosopher and historian Posidonius of Apamea (second/ fi rst century BC), according to which the contemporary Romans used to call respectively Fabius the “shield” (θυρεόν) and Marcellus the “sword” (ξίφος).4 Such a perfect ‘complementarity’ of characteristics naturally recommends their integration: because the people wish to profi t by their admirable qualities, as Plutarch says, Fabius and Mar- cellus are named consules together (as in 214 BC, after being consules suffecti the year before), or in alternative years (as in the triennium 210–208 BC).5 The same contrasting parallelism characterizes the portrait of Fabius and Marcellus in Silius Italicus’ Punica, where they share a primary, exemplary role in the long diffi cult phase of the confl ict preceding the fi nal rise of Scipio Africanus.6 Fabius’ important achievements in the collective effort made by republican Rome to resist the Carthagin- ian invader complement Marcellus’ deeds.7 Moreover, in the episodes involving Fabius and Marcellus, the poet displays a general tendency to compare the attitude and social behavior of these two leading fi g- ures in the senate.8 Such an implicit ‘competition’ also contributes, indirectly, to the construction of a new model of heroism and leader- ship, which, at fi rst, will guide Rome to victory in the war and then will 4 Posidon. F 259 Kidd. 5 Marcellus was consul in 210 and 208 BC for the fourth and fi fth times (the fi rst time was in 222); Fabius served as consul in 209 BC for the fi fth time (the fi rst was in 233). 6 Though, admittedly, together with other generals such as Paulus, the martyr of Cannae. Cf. Jupiter’s prophecy in Pun. 3.585–90. 7 In chronological order: Fabius’ rescue of Minucius’ troops in book 7; Marcellus’ sally before the walls of the besieged Nola in book 12, and his conquest of Syracuse in book 14. 8 Consider, for example, the situation in Rome in the aftermath of Cannae. Fabius invites the Roman people to welcome Varro’s return home, showing humane solidar- ity towards the defeated consul, as well as great care for the integrity of the whole community (10.605–39; see also n. 42). On the contrary, when the senate rejects the outrageous demands of the Capuan delegation, Marcellus’ speech (which immediately follows Fabius’ severe but controlled indignation) seizes the opportunity to criticize bitterly the consul himself for his cowardly sluggishness (11.97–109). It is worth not- ing that in other ancient sources Fabius’ and Marcellus’ dramatic roles are not at all emphasized..
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