Quintus Fabius Maximus Aemilianus facts for kids
Quintus Fabius Maximus Aemilianus was an important Roman leader. He was a statesman (a skilled politician) and served as a consul in 145 BC. A consul was one of the two highest elected officials in the ancient Roman Republic, similar to a president or prime minister today.
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His Family and Early Life
Quintus Fabius Maximus Aemilianus was born into a very famous Roman family. His birth father was Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus, a well-known general. His mother was Papiria Masonis. He was also the older brother of Scipio Aemilianus, another famous Roman figure.
When he was young, Quintus Fabius was adopted into the patrician gens (a large family group) called the Fabia. This was a common practice in ancient Rome for important families. Even though he was adopted, he remained very close to his birth brother, Scipio. Later in life, Quintus Fabius became the father of Quintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus.
His Military and Political Career
Quintus Fabius had a long and successful career in both the military and politics.
Fighting in the Third Macedonian War
He fought alongside his birth father, Lucius Aemilius Paullus, during the Third Macedonian War. This was a big conflict between Rome and the Kingdom of Macedon. After the important Battle of Pydna, where Rome won a major victory, his father sent him back to Rome to share the good news.
Serving as Praetor and Consul
Later, Quintus Fabius served as a praetor in Sicily from 149 BC to 148 BC. A praetor was a high-ranking Roman official, often involved in legal matters or governing a province. After this, he was elected consul for the year 145 BC.
Campaigns in Hispania
After his time as consul, he went to Hispania (modern-day Spain and Portugal) as a proconsul. A proconsul was like a governor of a Roman province, often with military command. There, he fought against Viriathus, a leader of the Lusitanian people, during the Lusitanian War. Quintus Fabius defeated Viriathus in battle but could not capture him. The war continued for another ten years until his brother, Scipio Aemilianus, finally captured the city of Numantia.
A Bond with History
Quintus Fabius and his brother, Scipio, were students and supporters of the famous historian Polybius. Polybius wrote about their lives and noted how strong their brotherly bond was, even after Quintus Fabius was adopted into a different family.
