(Maximus Rullianus), was the first of the Fabii who obtained the surname of Maximus, for lessening the power of the populace at elections. He was master of horse, and his victory over the Samnites in that capacity nearly cost him his life, because he engaged the enemy without the command of the dictator. He was five times consul, twice dictator, and once censor. He triumphed over seven different nations in the neighbourhood of Rome, and rendered himself illustrious by his patriotism.

(Rufinus), an historian in the age of Claudius and Nero. He was intimate with Seneca; and the encomiums which Tacitus passes upon his style, make us regret the loss of his compositions.

Q. FABIUS (Maximus), a celebrated Roman, who, from a dull and inactive childhood was raised to the highest offices of the state. In his first consulship he obtained a victory over Liguria, and the fatal battle of Thrasyllus occasioned his election to the dictatorship. In this important office he began to oppose Hannibal, not by fighting him in the open field, like his predecessors, but he continually harassed his army by counter marches and ambuscades, from which he received the surname of Cunctator, or Delayer. Hannibal sent him word, that "If he was as great a captain as he would be thought, he ought to come into the plain and give him battle." But Fabius coldly replied, "That if he was as great a captain as he would be thought, he would do well to force him to fight." Such operations for the commander of the Roman armies gave offence to some; and Fabius was even accused of cowardice. He, however, continued firm in his first resolutions; and patiently bore to see his master of horse raised to share the dictatorial dignity with himself, by means of his enemies at home. When he had laid down his office of dictator, his successor, for a while, followed his plan; but the rashness of Varro and his contempt for the operations of Fabius, occasioned the fatal battle of Cannæ. Tarentum was obliged to surrender to his arms after the battle of Cannæ; and on that occasion the Carthaginian enemy observed that Fabius was the Hannibal of Rome. When he had made made an agreement with Hannibal for the ransom of the captives, which was totally disapproved by the Roman senate, he sold all his estates to pay the money, rather than forfeit his word to the enemy. The bold proposals of young Scipio to go and carry the war from Italy to Africa, was rejected by Fabius as chimerical and dangerous. He did not, however, live to see the success of the Roman arms under Scipio, and the conquest of Carthage by measures which he treated with contempt and heard with indignation. He died in the 100th year of his age, after he had been five times consul, and twice honoured with a triumph. The Romans were so sensible of his great merit and services, that the expenses of his funeral were defrayed from the public treasury.—His son bore the same name, and showed himself worthy of his noble father's virtues. During his consulship he received a visit from his father on horseback in the camp. The son ordered the father to dismount; and the old man cheerfully obeyed, embracing his son, and saying, "I wished to know whether you knew what it is to be consul." He died before his father, and Cunctator with the moderation of a philosopher delivered a funeral oration over the dead body of his son.

Fabius, styled Piator, a Roman general and historian. He first introduced painting at Rome; and having caused the walls of the temple of Health to be painted, some authors have erroneously reckoned him a painter. He died about 216 B.C.