Quintus Fulvius Nobilior facts for kids

Quintus Fulvius Nobilior was an important Roman leader who became a Roman consul in 153 BC. A consul was like a top elected official in ancient Rome. His father, Marcus Fulvius Nobilior, and his brother, Marcus Fulvius Nobilior (consul 159 BC), were also consuls. Quintus Fulvius Nobilior and his father supported a famous writer named Quintus Ennius. They were his "patrons," which means they helped him out.

Quintus Fulvius Nobilior's Career

In 153 BC, Quintus Fulvius Nobilior led a large Roman army of 30,000 soldiers to Spain. This military campaign did not go very well for the Romans.

Fighting in Spain

The Roman army first went to a fortified town called Segeda. The people living there, known as the Belli, were making their town walls bigger. They were also attacking other nearby tribes. The Romans destroyed Segeda.

However, the Belli people gathered their army under a leader named Carus. They surprised the Roman army in a sudden attack, much like the famous Battle of Lake Trasimene. The Romans lost many soldiers in this ambush.

Siege of Numantia

After the ambush, Nobilior moved his army west to a high plain called the meseta. He then began to surround and attack another fortified town called Numantia. The people of Numantia had helped the Belli when they ran away from Segeda.

The people of Numantia would cause problems for Rome for many years. Nobilior's army faced very tough conditions during the winter. Because of this, they had to leave Numantia. In 152 BC, another consul, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, took Nobilior's place.

Later Roles

Quintus Fulvius Nobilior also served as a Roman censor. A censor was a Roman official who kept track of citizens and their property. He likely held this role in 136 BC, along with Appius Claudius Pulcher. The Roman army camp at Renieblas in Spain might have been where Nobilior's soldiers stayed during the winter.

Cultural Impact

Nobilior was chosen to be consul in 154 BC. However, his term could not officially start until the Ides of March. This date was when debts were settled and marked the end of the Roman calendar year. The Roman Senate needed Nobilior to act quickly. To solve this problem, they decided that January 1 would be the new start of the civil year. This change helped leaders like Nobilior begin their duties sooner.

See also

In Spanish: Quinto Fulvio Nobilior para niños