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From The Life of Quintus Fabius Maximus
Hannibal was within five miles of Tarentum, when he was informed
that the town had been taken by Fabius. He said openly, "Rome,
then, has also got a Hannibal; as we won Tarentum, so have we lost
it." And, in private with some of his confidants, he told them,
for the first time, that he always thought it difficult, but now
he held it impossible, with the forces he then had, to master
Italy.
Upon this success, Fabius had a triumph decreed him at Rome, much
more splendid than his first; they looked upon him now as a
champion who had learned to cope with his antagonist, and could
now easily foil his arts and prove his best skill ineffectual.
And, indeed the army of Hannibal was at this time partly worn out
with continual action, and partly weakened and become dissolute
with over abundance and luxury. Marcus Livius, who was governor of
Tarentum when it was betrayed to Hannibal, and had then retired
into the citadel, which he kept till the town was retaken, was
annoyed at these honors and distinctions, and, on one occasion,
openly declared in the senate, that by his resistance, more than
by any actions of Fabius, Tarentum had been recovered; on which
Fabius laughingly replied: "What you say is very true, for if
Marcus Livius had not lost Tarentum, Fabius Maximus had never
recovered it." The people, among other marks of gratitude, gave
his son the consulship of the next year; shortly after whose
entrance upon his office, there being some business on foot about
provision for the war, his father, either on account of age and
infirmity, or perhaps out of design to try his son, came up to him
on horseback. While he was still at a distance, the young consul
observed it, and bade one of his lictors command his father to
alight, and tell him that, if he had any business with the consul,
he should come on foot. The bystanders seemed offended at the
imperiousness of the son towards a father so venerable for his age
and his authority, and turned their eyes in silence towards
Fabius. He, however, instantly alighted from his horse, and with
open arms came up, almost running, and embracing him said, "Yes,
my son, you do well, and understand what authority you have
received, and over whom you are to use it. This was the way by
which we and our forefathers advanced the dignity of Rome,
preferring ever her honor and service to our own fathers and
children."
And, in fact, it is told that the great-grandfather of Fabius, who
was undoubtedly the greatest man of Rome in his time, both in
reputation and authority, who had been five times consul, and had
been honored with several triumphs for victories obtained by him,
took pleasure in serving as lieutenant under his own son, when he
went as consul to his command. And when afterwards his son had a
triumph bestowed upon him for his good service, the old man
followed his triumphant chariot, on horseback, as one of his
attendants; and made it his glory, that while he really was, and
was acknowledged to be, the greatest man in Rome, and held a
father's full power over his son, he yet submitted himself to the
law and the magistrate.
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