Introduction of Marcus Claudius marcellus

Marcus Claudius marcellus (about 270-208 BC) served as consul five times, nicknamed "Sword of Rome". He is one of the greatest military commanders in this city. Active in the first and second Punic wars, he was honored for fighting in Gaul and occupying the Mediterranean (now Milan). He fought Hannibal in southern Italy, and then occupied Syracuse in Sicily. When facing General Carthage in 209 BC, marcellus ended his victorious journey. A year later, the Roman commander was killed in an ambush near Venus (now Vinosa), and his tombstone still stands there. Don't confuse him with the nephew of Emperor Augustus with the same name.

Early career

Marcellus was born in 270 BC. In the last years of the First Punic War (264 BC-24 BC1year), he was recognized by the military forum for the first time. He was appointed (date unknown) as a fortune teller, Gulul, financial officer, and then Edile C. In 226 BC, he finally became a consul, and he climbed up in various political rankings in ancient Rome. According to the Greek and Roman writer Plutarch (about 45 AD-about AD 125), he recorded in his biography marcellus that he had a son named Malcus. Plutarch described marcellus's character in his opening:

Indeed, he is experienced, skilled in the art of war, strong in physique, brave in skills and naturally fond of war. This kind of irritability and heat he showed in the battle is obvious; In other respects, he is modest and helpful.

Marcellus won a great honor or "trophy of honor" in Yaopima, Spogli for killing rival commander Veri Domarus.

the battle of northern italy

In 222 BC, marcellus was appointed consul for the first time. This was his fourth role in 2 15 BC, 2 14 BC, 2 10 BC and 2008 BC, which stopped the long second Punic War (2 18 BC-20 1 year BC). In his first consulate, he was famous for his skill and courage on the battlefield. When he fought against Gauls in northern Italy, he saved the crumbling Clastidium (modern Casteggio). Then, with the help of cornelius Scipio Calvis, he captured Maidi Ranum and became famous for a cavalry charge, which enabled him to kill the rebel leader Veri Domarus in a battle. He won the great honor of spolia opima or the "trophy of honor"-one of the few duels of such commanders in Roman history-and won the election. Marcellus's achievements were later celebrated in a popular play by Navius, Clastidium. Marcellus personally built a temple for Honors and Virtues of Rome and Virtus, although the project was not really completed until 208 BC.

Second Punic War

During the Second Punic War, the terror of the war was closer to the Romans, and commanders like marcellus would have to face their biggest challenge. In 2 16 BC, marcellus became consul again. He was sent to defend the city of Norah in Campania against Hannibal, the Carthaginian general. Hannibal has invaded Italy, successively in Cinus, Trebbia, Lake Minnie in Tracy and Kani (2 18-2 16 BC). Nora was imprisoned, and marcellus briefly obtained the position of consul for the second time in 2 15 BC before being forced to step down, probably because his election meant that the next consultation was patriotic. Instead, he was ordered by the consul general and became a consul the next year.

After winning Leontinoy, marcellus turned his attention to the Sicilian treasure-Syracuse fortress.

In 2 14 BC, marcellus once again resisted Hannibal's army and retaken it from the enemy Kathiri Noum in Apia Street. The Roman general then moved the battlefield to Sicily. After winning Leontinoy, marcellus turned his attention to the Sicilian treasure-Syracuse fortress. He blocked the port with 60 gunboats and launched an attack from the sea, while Claudius Purch led the land forces to bomb the city from both sides. Nevertheless, defenders still hold the trump card of Archimedes, who is an outstanding scientist and inventor. Their evil cannons and grappling machines succeeded in keeping the Romans out. After eight months of siege, although Carthage sent 23,000 troops to support it, the city finally fell in 2 12 BC. The surrender of the fortress was largely due to the defection of several mercenary leaders to support the Romans. It was they who told marcellus that the defenders were celebrating Al-themis Festival, and the general quickly stepped in and launched a night attack to capture the city. In the chaotic consequences of the occupation of the city, Archimedes (and many others) were ruthlessly killed, although marcellus ordered the scientist to be pardoned.

Marcellus quickly returned his new prize to as many art trophies as possible, which was an innovative and very successful strategy to impress his Roman compatriots. Marcellus will be criticized by the historian Polybius (about 200 BC-115), not because it is wrong to gain benefits from the conquered, but because it is dangerous to soften them in a luxurious way and fail. The scope and Excellence of Greek art from Sicily to Rome did have an impact and inspired Roman artists to make greater efforts in their paintings and sculptures.

More victories on the island, including the destruction of the surviving Carthaginian army in agrigento, ensured that marcellus was fully worthy of his ovatio in Rome in 2 1 1 BC. This is the first military celebration of the Second Punic War. With the victory of Scipio Africans in Spain in 209 BC, the conflict finally developed towards Rome.

The wings of fate may have spread around the Romans, but they still have a deadly enemy camped in the south of the Italian peninsula. Marcellus overthrew Rome's established strategy of not trying to directly engage Hannibal's army. Since Canner and their fiasco there, the Romans adopted the so-called "Fabian policy", which was named after Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, a dictator in 2 17 BC, and his nickname was "Cunctator". Fabius knew Hannibal might win a direct confrontation, but he might be exhausted by attacking allies and blocking supplies at sea. On the other hand, marcellus is eager to confront the Carthaginians and solve the problem as soon as possible. The more aggressive commander won the later historian Posidonius.

Death and legacy

Marcellus became consul again in 2 10 BC. There is no doubt that after defeating Gaul and sicilian, marcellus was convinced that he could compete with Rome's nemesis on a flat battlefield. However, in 209 BC, this time marcellus served as governor, and the two men finally met on the battlefield in Kanusum, and the Carthaginians won. Being criticized for being too passive in Kanusim, fate will not give marcellus a chance of revenge, because he was ambushed near Venus in southern Italy in 208 BC. Once again, as a consul, he prepared to attack Lockley with his colleague Quintius crispin Yunus. marcellus was wiped out and crispin Yunus was injured (but later died). According to the records of the Roman writer Li Wei (64/59 BC-AD 17), Hannibal showed the decency of holding a proper funeral for marcellus, but he also used the Roman signet ring to try to deceive the towns loyal to Rome, especially Sarapia, with forged letters. The trick didn't work because crispi North managed to inform them of marcellus's death.

Meanwhile, Hannibal sent marcellus's bones to Rome in a silver urn with a golden crown. Unfortunately, according to Plutarch, a team of Numidians intercepted the mission and unceremoniously left the bones where they were abandoned and lost. On the other hand, levi reported that these cultural relics arrived in Rome safely. Marcellus's son's speech at his father's funeral was later published. The remains of the stone tablet, which is considered as the samurai's mausoleum, still stand in modern Vinosa, which has to be said to be rather bleak and hidden in a row of ordinary street houses. The great general was praised for various statues and monuments around the Mediterranean. In Lindos, according to Possidoni Uss (quoted by Plutarch), there are the following inscriptions:

Oh, stranger, this used to be the star of Rome,

Claudius marcellus of ancient descent;

In order to fight her consul seven times,

He lay in ambush in the dust of the enemy.

Marcellus's defeat is a heavy blow to Rome-he has been the commander-in-chief of the empire for the past ten years-but Hannibal will soon be forced to return to Africa to defend Carthage from Scipio Africa. The long war between Carthage and Rome will end in failure in the battle of Zama in 202 BC. After Marcellus' death, his fame and reputation will last forever. Levi was a little picky, suggesting that the commander was rather pedantic and superstitious, but Plutarch gave a more brilliant portrait, although this was to satisfy his parallel biography plan with the Greek commander. Nevertheless, marcellus's success in Gaul and his occupation of powerful Syracuse are indisputable history. In addition, as one of Rome's greatest commanders and a symbol of glorious leadership, his battle with Gauls was quoted as the epitome of Roman virtue in Augustus' fasting records two centuries later.