Quintus Fabius Maximus (possiblyQuintus Fabius Maximus Sanga)[1] (died 31 December 45 BC) was a general and politician of the lateRoman Republic who becamesuffect consul in 45 BC.
Maximus was a member of thepatriciangensFabia. His father was Quintus Fabius Maximus, son ofQuintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus, the consul in 121 BC. His great-grandfather,Quintus Fabius Maximus Aemilianus, was also a consul, serving in 145 BC.
He first came to notice in 59 BC when, together withMarcus Caelius Rufus, he prosecutedGaius Antonius Hybrida for extortion in his province ofMacedonia. AlthoughCicero served as lead counsel for the defense, Fabius Maximus and Caelius Rufus were successful.[2] He was electedCurule aedile in 57 BC, during which time he restored theFornix Fabianus (Arch of Fabius).[3] Sometime prior to 48 BC, he was electedpraetor.[4] In 46 BC, he was one ofJulius Caesar'slegates who fought in thecivil war.[5] Maximus was sent by Caesar toHispania along withQuintus Pedius in command of the troops sent fromSardinia to deal with the Pompeians, who were led byGnaeus Pompeius.[6]
Once there, they were unwilling to risk battle with Pompeius's superior numbers, and so remained encamped at Oculbo, waiting for Caesar to arrive in person.[7] Joining Caesar, they defeated Pompeius at theBattle of Munda on March 17, 45 BC. After the victory, Caesar left Maximus to besiege the town of Munda, which he took and may have destroyed.[8] He then marched against the town of Ursao.[9]
He returned to Rome along with Caesar, and in reward for his service, after Caesar abdicated his soleconsulship in September, he installed Maximus withGaius Trebonius assuffect consuls on 1 October, 45 BC,[10] the people following Caesar's wishes by voting in his candidates.[11] When Maximus entered a theatre and hislictors asked for the audience members to stand, Anti-Caesarean citizens showed their displeasure, shouting "He is no consul".[12] Maximus then celebrated hisRoman triumph for his victories in Spain on October 13, 45 BC.[13]
Fabius Maximus died on December 31, 45 BC — the last day of his consulship.[14] According toPliny the Elder, his death was remarkable because Fabius Maximus showed no symptoms of impending illness or death beforehand.[15] He was replaced for the remaining hours of the year byGaius Caninius Rebilus.[16]
He had three children:Paullus Fabius Maximus,Africanus Fabius Maximus andFabia Paullina, who marriedMarcus Titius.
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| Preceded by | Consul of the Roman Republic 45 BC (suffect) withGaius Trebonius | Succeeded by |