Martin Tessmer - The Noble Brute: Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus

This is a work of historical fiction, meaning it combines elements of historical fact (such as it is) and fiction. It is not a history textbook.

There is scant information about Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus, and about 4 th century BCE Italia. The books major characters, places, events, battles, and timelines are real, meaning they are noted by at least one of our acknowledged historians such as Livy, Polybius, Mommsen, and Gabriel. You will see footnotes scattered throughout the text, my effort to document various aspects of this book.

I have included several quotes of the major characters actual words, as described by Livy. You will find a source footnote to those at the end of the quote. Wherever possible, I have included an online link to a website or blog about an interesting topic, not because these links were my sole or main source of information about it, but because these links are easier for readers to access than the historical documents.

The transition from the phalanx to maniple formation occurred during this time period, as did the changes in Roman swords and shields. I have used Quintus Fabius story to dramatize those changes, but they cannot be solely attributed to him. The maniple formation went through a series of adjustments in formation and numbers. The maniples described herein reflect that period of experimentation and adjustment.

The winner of the Battle of the Volturnus River has been attributed to either Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus or to the dictator Aulus Cornelius, who was perchance appointed to carry out religious duties instead of fighting the Samnites. Livys Book Nine mentions the ambiguity about who commandeered the Romans in that important battle. For purposes of this novel, I have stuck with Quintus Fabius.

IMAGE CREDITS

• Boxer of Quirnal image by Carol Raddato, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Publius Decius Mus image by Jacob Matthias, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Phalanx Formation by Edmund Ollier, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Pankratist by Matthis Kabel, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Roman Blacksmith by York Trust Staff, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Greek Magical Papyri by Okar, courtesy of Pinterest.
• Roman Triumph by Jean Guillaume Moitte, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Lictor by Unknown, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Forum Rostra by Mark James Miller, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Samnite Warriors by Champs de Batailles, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Goddess Fortuna by Giovanni Dall Orto , via Wikimedia Commons.
• Pilum image by Xocolatl, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Ancient Capua by Giovanni Battista Pacichelli, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Testudo by Conrad Cichorius, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Roman Equite by Didymus Ridgeland, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Roman Priest image provided by Walters Art Museum, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Battle maps created by Martin Tessmer

Occasionally, a truly outstanding commander took control of the mid-Republican army.

Fabius Rullianus, a brilliant and underrated commander, defeated the Etruscans and Samnites at the decisive battle at Sentinum.

This victory was Romes most important in its rise to domination of Italy.

Jonathan P. Roth. War. In The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare, eds. P Sabin, H. Van Hess, & M Whitby. 2007. Cambridge: at the University Press. P. 373 .

Dramatis Personae

I. Rullianus' Precursors: Decius, Torquatus, and Papirius.

Publius Decius Mus (Elder). Roman consul. Father to Publius Decius.

Marcus Valerius. Friend and priest to Publius Decius Mus.

Aurelia Julia. Wife of Publius Decius Mus.

Titus Manlius Torquatus. Third Legion commander. Coconsul with Publius Decius Mus.

Titus Manlius. Decurion. Son of Titus Torquatus.

Marcus Furius. Third Legion Master of Horse,

Volesus Julius. Second Legion Master of Horse.

Jainus Numisius. Commander of the Latin army.

Publius Decius Mus (Younger). Son of Publius Decius Mus.

Lucius Papirius Cursor. Lucius' Crassus' Master of Horse.

Larthus Burbatus. Commander of the Samnite army.

II. The Ghosts of Legacy: The Fabii and Claudii

Quintus Fabius Rullianus. Consul and dictator. Son of Marcus Fabius Ambustus.

Ham. Roman armorer and pankratist. Friend to Quintus Fabius.

Cassia. Owner of Cassia's Wine Bar.

Marcus Fabius Ambustus. Consul. Father to Quintus Fabius Rullianus' father.

Marcus Fabius (the Younger). Adopted brother to Rullianus.

Sergia Claudius. Herbalist and healer. Mother of Appius Claudius.

Appius Claudius. Roman consul. Rullianus' enemy. Sergia's son.

Ulpia. Etruscan house slave to Portia Tullia.

Cornelia Tertia. Magician and astrologer. Quintus Fabius' wife.

III. Rullianus Rises

Gaius Valerius. Roman consul during the trial of Sergia Claudius.

Cumo. Samnite chieftain and strategist.

Lucius Furius Camillus. Roman consul in 325 BCE.

Junius Brutus. Roman consul in 325 BCE.

Arla. Ham's sister.

IV. Rullianus Rebels

Titus Geganius. Master of Horse for Lucius Papirius Cursor.

V. The Crime of Victory

Julia Fabius. Rullianus' mother.

Laelia Segunda. Wife of the censor Vespasian.

Senate Elder. Leader of the Senate.

Tiberius Vespasian. Senator who opposes indenture for indebtedness.

Lucius Cominius. Equite in Papirius' army. Rullianus' confidante.

Lucius Papirius Crassus. Consul. Lucius Papirius Cursor's uncle.

Caesar. Roman messenger.

Marcus Valerius. Second Legion legate.

Quintus Pedius. Third Legion legate.

VI. Escape

Pulchria. Madam of the House of Pulchria.