Marcus Claudius Marcellus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marcus Claudius Marcellus
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Coin depicting Marcellus, 55 BC
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| Born | c. 270 BC |
| Died | 208 BC |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Nationality | Roman |
| Occupation | General and politician |
| Office | Aedile (226 BC) Consul (222, 215, 214, 210, 208 BC) |
| Children | Marcellus |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Roman Republic |
| Battles/wars | First Punic War, Gallic War of (225 BC), Battle of Clastidium, Second Punic War, Siege of Syracuse, Battle of Numistro |
| Awards | Spolia opima |
Marcus Claudius Marcellus (born around 270 BC, died 208 BC) was a famous Roman general and leader. He was elected as a top Roman leader, called a consul, five times. Marcellus won a very special award called the spolia opima. He earned it by defeating the Gallic king Viridomarus in a one-on-one fight in 222 BC. He is also famous for capturing the strong city of Syracuse. During this long battle, the brilliant scientist Archimedes was accidentally killed, even though Marcellus wanted him to be safe. Marcellus died in battle in 208 BC. He is remembered as a great military hero who made the spolia opima award even more legendary.
Contents
Early Life: A Rising Roman Star
We don't know much about Marcus Claudius Marcellus's early life. Ancient writers focused more on his later military achievements. We know he was born before 268 BC. This is because he had to be over 42 to become a consul in 222 BC. He was also over 60 when he became consul for the fifth time in 208 BC.
Marcellus was a skilled fighter from a young age. He was trained to be a soldier. He quickly became known for his bravery in hand-to-hand combat. Once, he even saved his brother, Otacilius. They were surrounded by enemy soldiers in Italy.
During his time as a Roman soldier, Marcellus fought in the First Punic War. His leaders praised him for his skill and courage. Because of his good reputation, he was elected to a public office in 226 BC. This job was called curule aedile. Aediles were in charge of public buildings, festivals, and keeping order. This was usually the first step in a Roman nobleman's political career. Around the same time, Marcellus also became an augur. This meant he could interpret signs or omens. By the time he was about 40, Marcellus was already a respected soldier and public official. His early career reached its peak in 222 BC. He was elected as a consul, the highest political and military job in the Roman Republic.
The Richest Spoils: Winning the Spolia Opima
In 225 BC, the Gauls from northern Italy, led by the Insubrians, started a war with Rome. Marcellus fought in this war as a soldier. The Romans pushed the Insubrians back to the Po River. The Gauls tried to surrender, but Marcellus convinced the Roman leaders not to accept their peace terms.
In the final year of the war, 222 BC, Marcellus was elected consul. His partner was Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus. The Insubrians gathered 30,000 Gallic allies to fight the Romans. Marcellus led his army into Insubrian lands, just like earlier Roman leaders. The Gauls sent 10,000 men to attack Clastidium, a Roman fort. This battle was where Marcellus faced the Gallic king, Viridomarus. This fight made Marcellus famous in history.
A Legendary Duel
The story says that Viridomarus saw Marcellus, who wore commander's symbols. The king rode out to meet him. Marcellus didn't know it was the king. But he wanted to fight him because he had prayed to the gods. He asked for the finest armor from the enemy. The armor Viridomarus wore seemed to be it. The two leaders fought one-on-one. Marcellus defeated and killed Viridomarus.
Marcellus took the armor from the fallen king. He called it the spolia opima, which means richest spoils. He dedicated it to the god Jupiter Feretrius, as he had promised. In Roman tradition, the spolia opima was the most honored prize a general could win. To earn it, a general had to kill the enemy's leader in single combat.
Some historians question if this story is entirely true. Marcellus supposedly didn't know his opponent was the king. But his prayer to Jupiter Feretrius, using the term spolia opima, suggests he intended to kill a king. This might mean the story was made more exciting for dramatic effect. Still, it shows how important this event became.
After Viridomarus died, the Romans broke the siege of Clastidium. They won the battle and pushed the Gallic army back to their main base at Mediolanum. After another defeat there, the Gauls surrendered to the Romans. This time, the peace terms were accepted. The Gallic war ended. Marcellus was given a special parade called a triumph for his victory. After this war, Marcellus mostly stayed out of the spotlight until 216 BC.
Later Life: The Second Punic War
Marcus Claudius Marcellus returned to public life during the Second Punic War. He fought in many important battles. In 216 BC, Marcellus was elected as a praetor. A praetor could be a judge or an army commander. Marcellus was chosen to command an army in Sicily.
But before he could go, his army was called back to Rome. This was because of a terrible Roman defeat at the Battle of Cannae. It was one of the worst losses in Roman history. The Senate ordered Marcellus to send 1,500 of his men to Rome to protect the city. With his remaining army, Marcellus camped near Suessula in southern Italy.
Part of the Carthaginian army, led by Hannibal, then moved towards the city of Nola. Marcellus fought back and stopped Hannibal from taking the city. This victory at Nola was small. But it was important because it was the first time Hannibal had been stopped, even a little bit.
In 215 BC, Marcellus was called to Rome to discuss the war. After this meeting, he was made a proconsul. Later that year, a consul named Lucius Postumius Albinus was killed. The Roman people chose Marcellus to replace him. But a bad sign was reported, perhaps because the other consul was also from a common family. So, Marcellus stepped aside. Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus took his place. Marcellus was again made proconsul. He defended Nola a second time from Hannibal's army. In 214 BC, Marcellus was elected consul again, this time with Fabius Maximus. He defended Nola a third time. He also captured the town of Casilinum.
Fighting in Sicily and Syracuse
After his victory at Casilinum, Marcellus was sent to Sicily. Hannibal had his eyes on this island. When Marcellus arrived, Sicily was in chaos. Hieronymus, the new ruler of Kingdom of Syracuse, had sided with the Carthaginians. He declared war on Rome.
In 214 BC, Marcellus attacked the city of Leontini. The two Syracusan leaders were there. After taking the city, Marcellus had 2,000 Roman soldiers who had deserted killed. Then he began a siege of Syracuse itself. Many cities in Sicily rebelled against Roman rule. The siege lasted for two years. This was partly because of the amazing war machines built by the famous inventor Archimedes. While Appius Claudius led the main Roman army at Syracuse, Marcellus and a smaller army traveled Sicily. They conquered rebellious cities like Helorus, Megara, and Herbessus.
Marcellus returned and continued the siege. The Carthaginians tried to help Syracuse, but they were pushed back. The Romans finally took the city in the summer of 212 BC. They overcame strong defenses and Archimedes' clever devices. Marcellus had noticed a weak spot in Syracuse's walls during an earlier visit. He used a night attack with a small group of soldiers to storm the walls and open the gates.
During the fighting, Archimedes was killed. Marcellus was very sad about this. The Romans took much treasure and artwork from the city. Syracuse was a Greek city, full of Greek culture and art. Much of this Greek art was brought to Rome. This was one of the first big ways Greek culture influenced Roman culture.
After his victory at Syracuse, Marcellus stayed in Sicily. He defeated more Carthaginians and rebels. The important city of Agrigentum was still under Carthaginian control. But the Carthaginians couldn't support it much. Their main focus was on fighting in Spain and Italy. At the end of 211 BC, Marcellus left command of Sicily. He returned to Rome. He didn't get a full triumph, a grand parade, for his victory. His political rivals argued that he hadn't fully removed all threats in Sicily.
Death in Battle
Marcellus was elected Roman consul for the fourth time in 210 BC. His election caused some arguments. His political opponents accused him of being too harsh in Sicily. Representatives from Sicilian cities complained to the Roman Senate. Because of these complaints, Marcellus had to swap provinces with his fellow consul. So, Marcellus did not control Sicily.
Instead, Marcellus took command of the Roman army in Apulia. He led it to many important victories against the Carthaginians. First, Marcellus captured the city of Salapia. Then he conquered two cities in the region of Samnium. Next, when another Roman general's army was destroyed by Hannibal, Marcellus stepped in. He stopped Hannibal's advance.
Marcellus and Hannibal then fought a battle at Numistro. No clear winner was decided, though Rome claimed a victory. After this battle, Marcellus continued to keep Hannibal in check. But the two armies never fought a major decisive battle. This was part of Marcellus's plan to wear down Hannibal's army. This strategy was first used by Marcellus's friend, Fabius Maximus.
In 209 BC, Marcellus remained in command of his army as a proconsul. His army faced Hannibal's forces in many small fights. They avoided a big open battle. Marcellus defended his actions to the Senate. He was named consul for the fifth time for the year 208 BC.
After becoming consul for the fifth time, Marcellus returned to lead his army at Venusia. He went on a scouting mission with his fellow consul, Titus Quinctius Crispinus. They had a small group of 220 horsemen. A much larger Carthaginian force ambushed them. Almost all of the Romans were killed. Marcellus died on the battlefield. Crispinus died from his wounds a few days later.
When Hannibal heard of Marcellus's death, he went to see the body. He allowed Marcellus to have a proper funeral. He even sent Marcellus's ashes back to his son in a silver urn with a golden wreath. The loss of both consuls was a big blow to Roman morale. Rome had lost its two top military leaders in one battle. The strong Carthaginian army was still in Italy.
Historical Importance
Marcus Claudius Marcellus became very famous for winning the spolia opima. This was one of the highest honors a Roman general could receive. It meant that a general had killed the enemy's leader in a direct battle. Only two other people in Roman history, Romulus (the founder of Rome) and Aulus Cornelius Cossus, were said to have won this prize. Marcellus is the only one whose achievement is confirmed by history.
Marcellus made the spolia opima award important again. Before him, it wasn't as special because it had happened only twice before. Marcellus also made it a custom to dedicate the armor to Jupiter Feretrius. No one else achieved this feat after him. So, Marcellus made the spolia opima a famous legend.
Marcellus was a very important general during the Second Punic War. Being elected consul five times shows his place in Roman history. His victories in Sicily changed history. His campaigns in Italy made Hannibal pause and gave new hope to the Roman Senate. But it is his triumph as a warrior and winner of the spolia opima that truly secured his place in ancient Roman history. Because of all this, he is known as the Sword of Rome. He is also seen as one of the first to bring Greek art and learning to Rome.
