Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus

Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus
Fabius Cunctator, statue by J. B. Hagenauer, 1777, at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
Born	c. 280 BC
Died	203 BC
Nationality	Roman
Other names	Cunctator
Known for	Fabian strategy
Office	Consul (233, 228, 215, 214, 209 BC) Dictator (221, 217 BC) Censor (230 BC)
Children	Quintus Fabius Maximus
Awards	Grass Crown Roman triumph

Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, surnamed Cunctator (c. 280 – 203 BC), was a Roman statesman and general of the third century BC. He was consul five times (233, 228, 215, 214, and 209 BC) and was appointed dictator in 221 and 217 BC. He was censor in 230 BC. His agnomen, Cunctator, usually translated as "the delayer", refers to the strategy that he employed against Hannibal's forces during the Second Punic War. Facing an outstanding commander with superior numbers, he pursued a then-novel strategy of targeting the enemy's supply lines, and accepting only smaller engagements on favourable ground, rather than risking his entire army on direct confrontation with Hannibal himself. As a result, he is regarded as the originator of many tactics used in guerrilla warfare.^[1]