Hannibal was within five miles of Tarentum, when he was informed that
the town had been taken by Fabius. He said openly, "Rome, then, has also
got a Hannibal; as we won Tarentum, so have we lost it." And, in private
with some of his confidants, he told them, for the first time, that he
always thought it difficult, but now he held it impossible, with the
forces he then had, to master Italy.
Upon this success, Fabius had a triumph decreed him at Rome, much more
splendid than his first; they looked upon him now as a champion who had
learned to cope with his antagonist, and could now easily foil his arts
and prove his best skill ineffectual. And, indeed the army of Hannibal
was at this time partly worn out with continual action, and partly
weakened and become dissolute with over abundance and luxury. Marcus
Livius, who was governor of Tarentum when it was betrayed to Hannibal,
and had then retired into the citadel, which he kept till the town
was retaken, was annoyed at these honors and distinctions, and, on one
occasion, openly declared in the senate, that by his resistance, more
than by any actions of Fabius, Tarentum had been recovered; on which
Fabius laughingly replied: "What you say is very true, for if Marcus
Livius had not lost Tarentum, Fabius Maximus had never recovered it."
The people, among other marks of gratitude, gave his son the consulship
of the next year; shortly after whose entrance upon his office, there
being some business on foot about provision for the war, his father,
either on account of age and infirmity, or perhaps out of design to try
his son, came up to him on horseback. While he was still at a distance,
the young consul observed it, and bade one of his lictors command his
father to alight, and tell him that, if he had any business with the
consul, he should come on foot. The bystanders seemed offended at the
imperiousness of the son towards a father so venerable for his age and
his authority, and turned their eyes in silence towards Fabius. He,
however, instantly alighted from his horse, and with open arms came up,
almost running, and embracing him said, "Yes, my son, you do well, and
understand what authority you have received, and over whom you are to
use it. This was the way by which we and our forefathers advanced
the dignity of Rome, preferring ever her honor and service to our own
fathers and children."
And, in fact, it is told that the great-grandfather of Fabius, who was
undoubtedly the greatest man of Rome in his time, both in reputation
and authority, who had been five times consul, and had been honored with
several triumphs for victories obtained by him, took pleasure in serving
as lieutenant under his own son, when he went as consul to his command.
And when afterwards his son had a triumph bestowed upon him for his good
service, the old man followed his triumphant chariot, on horseback, as
one of his attendants; and made it his glory, that while he really
was, and was acknowledged to be, the greatest man in Rome, and held a
father's full power over his son, he yet submitted himself to the law
and the magistrate.