much relief and rejoicing as it did in other cases terror and despair. That maternal love was as strong an impulse in those rough days as it is in the more
refined and cultivated periods of the present age, is evinced by the fact that two of these Roman mothers, on seeing their sons coming suddenly into their presence, alive and well, when they had heard that they had fallen in battle, were killed at once by the shock of surprise and joy, as if by a blow.
Appointment of a dictator.
Fabius.
In seasons of great and imminent danger to the commonwealth, it was the custom of the Romans to appoint what they called a dictator, that is, a supreme
executive, who was clothed with absolute and unlimited powers; and it devolved
on him to save the state from the threatened ruin by the most prompt and energetic action. This case was obviously one of the emergencies requiring such
a measure. There was no time for deliberations and debates; for deliberations and debates, in periods of such excitement and danger, become disputes, and end
in tumult and uproar. Hannibal was at the head of a victorious army, ravaging the country which he had already conquered, and with no obstacle between him and
the city itself. It was an emergency calling for the appointment of a dictator. The people made choice of a man of great reputation for experience and wisdom, named Fabius, and placed the whole power of the state in his hands. All other authority was suspended, and every thing was subjected to his sway. The whole
city, with the life and property of every inhabitant, was placed at his disposal; the army and the fleets were also under his command, even the consuls being subject
to his orders.
Measures of Fabius.
Religious ceremonies.
Fabius accepted the vast responsibility which his election imposed upon him, and immediately began to take the necessary measures. He first made
arrangements for performing solemn religious ceremonies, to expiate the omens
and propitiate the gods. He brought out all the people in great convocations, and made them take vows, in the most formal and imposing manner, promising offerings and celebrations in honor of the various gods, at some future time, in
case these divinities would avert the threatening danger. It is doubtful, however, whether Fabius, in doing these things, really believed that they had any actual efficiency, or whether he resorted to them as a means of calming and quieting the minds of the people, and producing that composure and confidence which always results from a hope of the favor of Heaven. If this last was his object, his conduct was eminently wise.
Minucius.
Supreme authority of a dictator.
Fabius, also, immediately ordered a large levy of troops to be made. His second
in command, called his master of horse, was directed to make this levy, and to assemble the troops at a place called Tibur, a few miles east of the city. There was always a master of horse appointed to attend upon and second a dictator.
The name of this officer in the case of Fabius was Minucius. Minucius was as ardent, prompt, and impetuous, as Fabius was cool, prudent, and calculating. He
levied the troops and brought them to their place of rendezvous. Fabius went out to take the command of them. One of the consuls was coming to join him, with a
body of troops which he had under his command. Fabius sent word to him that
he must come without any of the insignia of his authority, as all his authority, semi-regal as it was in ordinary times, was superseded and overruled in the presence of a dictator. A consul was accustomed to move in great state on all occasions. He was preceded by twelve men, bearing badges and insignia, to impress the army and the people with a sense of the greatness of his dignity. To see, therefore, a consul divested of all these marks of his power, and coming into the dictator's presence as any other officer would come before an acknowledged
superior, made the army of Fabius feel a very strong sense of the greatness of their new commander's dignity and power.
Proclamation of Fabius.
Fabius then issued a proclamation, which he sent by proper messengers into all
the region of country around Rome, especially to that part toward the territory which was in possession of Hannibal. In this proclamation he ordered all the people to abandon the country and the towns which were not strongly fortified,
and to seek shelter in the castles, and forts, and fortified cities. They were commanded, also, to lay waste the country which they should leave, and destroy
all the property, and especially all the provisions, which they could not take to their places of refuge. This being done, Fabius placed himself at the head of the
forces which he had got together, and moved on, cautiously and with great circumspection, in search of his enemy.
Progress of Hannibal.
In the mean time, Hannibal had crossed over to the eastern side of Italy, and had passed down, conquering and ravaging the country as he went, until he got considerably south of Rome. He seems to have thought it not quite prudent to advance to the actual attack of the city, after the battle of Lake Thrasymene; for the vast population of Rome was sufficient, if rendered desperate by his actually threatening the capture and pillage of the city, to overwhelm his army entirely.
So he moved to the eastward, and advanced on that side until he had passed the
city, and thus it happened that Fabius had to march to the southward and eastward in order to meet him. The two armies came in sight of each other quite
on the eastern side of Italy, very near the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Policy of Fabius.
He declines fighting.
