Fla'vius
2. FLAVIUS, a Lucanian, who lived during the second Punic war, and for a time was at the head of the Roman party among the Lucanians.
But in B. C. 213 he suddenly turned traitor; and not satisfied with going over to the enemy himself, and making his countrymen follow his example, he resolved to deliver the Roman general, with whom he was connected by hospitality, into the hands of the Carthaginians.
He accordingly had an interview with Mago, who commanded the Punic forces in Bruttium, and promised to deliver up to him the proconsul Tib. Sempronius Gracchus, on condition that the Lucanians should be free, and retain their own constitution.
A place was then fixed upon where Mago might lay in ambush with an armed force, and whither Flavius promised to lead the proconsul. Flavius now went to Grachus, and promising to bring about a reconciliation between him and those who had recently deserted the cause of the Romans, he prevailed upon him to accompany him to the spot where Mago was concealed. When he arrived there Mago rushed forth from his ambuscade, and Flavius immediately went over to the Carthaginians.
A fierce contest then ensued, near a place called Campi Veteres, in which Tib. Sempronius Gracchus was killed. (
Liv. 25.16; Appian,
Annib. 35;
V. Max. 5.1. Ext. ยง 6.)
