Quintus Fulvius Flaccus (consul 179 BC) facts for kids

Quintus Fulvius Flaccus (died 172 BC) was an important Roman leader. He was a plebeian (meaning he was from a common family, not a noble one) who became a consul (one of the two highest leaders in the Roman Republic) in 179 BC. He was very successful in his military campaigns in Spain and Liguria, which led to him celebrating two triumphs (special parades to celebrate big victories).

Quintus Fulvius Flaccus came from a family of important Roman leaders. His father, also named Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, was a consul four times, starting in 237 BC. His grandfather, Marcus Fulvius Flaccus, was a consul in 264 BC.

Early Career in Rome

In 184 BC, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus was a curule aedile (a Roman official who managed public games and buildings). He caused a bit of a stir when he tried to become a praetor (another important official, like a judge or governor) in the same year. This was against the rules, as Romans weren't supposed to hold two major offices at once. He also broke tradition by campaigning "without a white toga," which was the special white robe candidates wore. Because of these actions, the Senate (Rome's governing council) was very unhappy and refused to hold the elections he wanted.

Military Successes in Spain

Despite the earlier controversy, Fulvius Flaccus became a praetor in Hispania Ulterior (a Roman province in Spain) in 182 BC. He led successful wars against the Celtiberians (a group of people living in Spain) and captured the city of Urbicua. His military command, called imperium, was extended for two more years, making him a propraetor. In 180 BC, he asked to bring his army home but was not allowed. He won another victory against the Celtiberians and was awarded a triumph for his achievements.

Becoming Consul and Censor

In 179 BC, Fulvius Flaccus became a consul. His co-consul was Lucius Manlius Acidinus Fulvianus, who was actually his brother by birth. They were put in charge of the Roman province of Liguria (in modern-day Italy). During this time, many Ligures (people from Liguria) were being moved from their homes. Fulvius helped resettle some of them from the mountains. He also helped stop people from Transalpine Gaul (modern-day France) from settling in northern Italy. For these actions, he received another triumph.

To honor his victories in Spain, he built a temple and held special games. The building of this temple would later become a source of trouble for him.

Fulvius Flaccus later became a censor in 174 BC, along with Aulus Postumius Albinus Luscus. Censors were powerful officials who managed public morals, finances, and public works. They removed nine members from the Senate, including Fulvius's own brother, and lowered the rank of several knights (another important social class). They also named Marcus Aemilius Lepidus as princeps senatus (the leading member of the Senate).

As censors, they also oversaw many building projects in Rome. Fulvius himself started more projects in other towns like Pisaurum, Fundi, Potentia, and Sinuessa. The ancient historian Livy wrote that when Fulvius built his Temple of Fortuna Equestris (a temple to "Equestrian Luck"), he took marble tiles from a temple dedicated to the goddess Juno Lacinia. The Temple of Fortuna Equestris was officially opened in 173 BC.

A Tragic End

In 180 BC, Fulvius Flaccus was chosen to join the College of Pontiffs, a group of important priests in Rome. This was a position he would hold for life. The historian Livy mentioned his priesthood when describing the sad way he died.

In 172 BC, Fulvius had two sons serving in Illyricum (a Roman province in the Balkans). He received terrible news that one son had died and the other was very sick. The next morning, his household servants found that he had passed away in his bedroom.

According to another historian, Valerius Maximus, the Senate later ordered that the marble tiles be returned to the original temple of Juno. This was done to correct what they saw as a disrespectful act by Fulvius.

The ancient road known as the Via Fulvia is sometimes thought to be named after him, but this is not certain. It's also important not to confuse this Quintus Fulvius Flaccus with another man of the same name who was a consul in 180 BC.

See also