A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
William Smith, Ed.

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Flamma, L. Volu'mnius

with the agnomen VIOLENS, was consul with App. Claudius Caecus for the first time B. C. 307. He was sent with a consular army against the Sallentines, an Apulian or Japygian people, who dwelt in the heel of Italy, and whom the progress of the Samnite war had now drawn within the enmity of Rome. According to Livy (9.42), Flamma was prosperous in the field, took several towns by storm, and made himself very popular with the soldiers by his liberal distribution of the booty. These successes are, however, very problematical; since the name of Flamma does not appear in the Fasti Triumphales, and one of the annalists, Piso, omitted this consulship altogether (Liv. 9.44). But there is no reason to doubt that Flamma was consul with App. Claudius in B. C. 296. It was the most critical period of the second Samnite war. Flamma was at first stationed on the frontiers of Samnium, but on the appearance of a Samnite army in the heart of Etruria, he was ordered to the relief of his colleague. Claudius at first resented, but on the representation of his principal officers, finally ac cepted the aid of Flamma. There was, however, no harmony between them; and as soon as their joint armies had repelled the enemy, Flamma returned by forced marches into Campania. The Samnites had plundered the Falernian plain, and were returning with their spoils and captives, when Flamma intercepted them on the banks of the Liris, and rendered their expedition fruitless. For the relief thus afforded to Rome a thanksgiving was ordered in the name of the consul. Flamma presided at the next consular comitia, and at his recommendation the people chose Q. Fabius Maximus Rullianus consul for the ensuing year. Flamma retainted his own command as proconsul for the same period, the senate and the people both concurring in his re-appointment. Flamma, with the second and fourth legions, invaded Samnium; but there is great likelihood in Niebuhr's conjecture (Hist. of Rome, vol. iii. p. 379), that he was again called into Etruria, where the brunt of the war was, and that he took part in the battle of Sentinum, B. C. 295. He married Virginia, daughter of A. Virginius, who consecrated a chapel and altar to Plebeian Chastity. [VIRGINIA.] (Liv. 10.15, &c.)

[W.B.D]