Fabia gens

In ancient Rome, an old and distinguished patrician gens (a number of aristocratic families with the same name descending from a common ancestor). The Fabia gens, like several other patrician gentes, was probably of Sabine origin (an ancient people from central Italy), and was one of the two gentes entrusted with the management of Lupercalia, a Roman festival.

Among the members of the Fabia gens was Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus, a general who was consul five times between 322 and 295 BC. Twice dictator, he fought in the second Samnite War, gaining victories 325 and 322, and at Sentinum, over the united Gauls and Samnites 295.

Quintus Fabius Maximus Cunctator (‘delayer’) was five times consul and twice dictator. As consul 233, he conquered the Ligurians and was granted a triumph (victory procession). As dictator for the second time 217, he led the Roman armies against the Carthaginian Hannibal. His defensive approach was not popular at first, but his policy of holding back from battles with Hannibal (which gave him his nickname) resumed after the Romans suffered a crushing defeat at Cannae 216. In 215 Maximus ravaged Campania, was consul for the fifth time 209 and recaptured Tarentum. He opposed Scipio's aggressive policy and died 203 BC.

Quintus Fabius Pictor (born about 254 BC) was the first Roman prose historian, and is known as the founder of Latin history. He served in the second Gallic War 225, and in the second Punic War, and died after 216. Of his Annals, which was written in Greek, only fragments survive.