Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus (consul 142 BC)

Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus (fl. 2nd century BC) was a Roman Senator and military commander who was elected Roman consul in 142 BC.

Biography

Servilianus was born into the Patrician gens Servilia, before he was adopted by Quintus Fabius Maximus Aemilianus.^[1] His early career is unknown, but it is speculated that he would have been elected Praetor by 145 BC.^[2] After his election as consul in 142 BC, he was given command of the Lusitanian War, acting as proconsul in Hispania Ulterior.^[3] He brought with him two legions and a number of allied forces, which amounted to a force of 16,000 infantry and 1,600 cavalry. He also managed to obtain a number of war elephants from King Micipsa.^[4]

During 142/141 BC, he fought against Viriathus, and defeated him in battle. He took a number of towns by storm, destroyed a number of enemy guerrilla forces, and ended up recapturing much of Baeturia before following Viriathus into Lusitania.^[5] However, in 140 BC, Servilianus was defeated whilst trying to capture Erisane; fleeing with his army, he was trapped in a mountain pass near Sierra Morena. Servilianus surrendered unconditionally, and negotiated a treaty with Viriathus, allowing the Lusitanians to keep the territory they already possessed, and to recognise Viriathus as a Friend and Ally of Rome.^[6] The treaty was ratified by the Senate, but they broke it soon after, following pressure from Servilianus’ brother, Quintus Servilius Caepio.

Servilianus was a member of the Roman College of Pontiffs.^[7]

References

Bibliography

• Broughton, T. Robert S., The Magistrates of the Roman Republic, Vol I (1951)
• Smith, William, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Vol II (1867)
• Smith, William, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Vol III (1867)