Fulvius
1.
L. Curvus. Consul in the year B.C. 322, and, six years after,
master of the horse to the dictator L. Aemilius (
Livy, viii. 38;
ix. 21).
2.
M. Curvus Paetīnus. Consul in place of T. Minucius,
B.C. 305. He took the city of Bovianum, in the country of the Samnites (
Livy, ix. 44).
3.
Cn. Paetīnus. Consul B.C. 300. He gained a memorable
victory over the Samnites near Bovianum, and enjoyed a triumph. Three years after he carried
on successful operations in Etruria as propraetor (
Livy, ix. 44;
xv. 91).
4.
Ser. Paetīnus Nobilior. Consul in B.C. 255, along with
Aemilius Paulus Lepidus. These two commanders sailed for Africa after the overthrow of
Regulus by the Carthaginians, gained a naval victory, compelled the foe to raise the siege of
Clypea, and carried off an immense booty from the Carthaginian territories. They were
shipwrecked, however, on their return to Italy, and of 200 vessels only eighty were
saved.
5.
Q. Flaccus. Consul in B.C. 237, 224, 212, and 209. He defeated
Hanno near Bovianum, and laid siege to Capua, which surrendered to him after the lapse of a
year. The conquered were treated with great cruelty. (See
Capua.) Some time subsequent to this, he marched against the Hirpini, Lucanians, and
other nations of Italy, who, alarmed at the severities inflicted on Capua, surrendered to him
the garrisons which had been placed in their cities by Hannibal (
Livy,
xxiii. 21; xxiv. 29; xxv. 2).
6.
M. Nobilior. Praetor in Spain B.C. 193. He carried the Roman arms
to the Tagus, making himself master also of Toletum (Toledo), up to that period deemed
impregnable. Having obtained the consulship, in B.C. 189, he was intrusted with the war in
Greece, during which he took Ambracia, traversed Epirus as conqueror, and reduced to
submission the island of Cephallenia. Two years after this he was accused before the Senate
of having maltreated the allies of the Roman people, but was acquitted of the charge, and
received the honour of a triumph. In the year 179 he was elected censor along with Aemilius
Lepidus, his bitter foe. Apprehending injury to the State from their known enmity, the
leaders of the Senate adjured both individuals to lay aside their differences for the good of
their country. A reconciliation accordingly took place, and nothing occurred to disturb these
friendly feelings during the rest of their joint magistracy. Fulvius raised many public
structures, a basilica, a forum, etc. He also constructed a port at the mouth of the Tiber
(
Livy, xxxiii. 42; xxxv. 7; xx. 22, etc.). His friendship with
the poet Ennius and other literary men is well known, and caused Cato the Censor to criticise
him severely.
7.
Q. Flaccus. Praetor B.C. 182. He took, in this capacity, the city
of Urbicua in farther Spain, and defeated the Celtiberi in the battle of
Ebura, killing in this and in another encounter 35,000 men. On his return to Rome he received
a triumph, and in the same year (179 B.C.) the consulship. In B.C. 174 he was elected censor
along with Posthumius Albinus. These two censors were the first that paved the streets of
Rome, B.C. 174. The next year he built a temple to Fortune, and, to adorn it, carried off a
large portion of the marble tiles from the Temple of the Lacinian Juno in Lower Italy. The
Senate compelled him to restore these. The popular account made him to have been deprived of
reason for this act of sacrilege, as he committed suicide soon after (
Livy, xxxix. 56, 40; xl. 16; Vell. Paterc. i. 10).
8.
M. Flaccus. Consul B.C. 125. He seconded the projects of Tiberius
Gracchus to obtain for the States of Italy the rights of citizenship. Being afterwards sent
against the Gauls, he defeated them, and obtained a triumph. Four years subsequently he
became involved in the extreme measures of the Gracchi relative to the agrarian law, and
perished in an affray which arose. See
Gracchus.
