# Fabius Maximus — Dialogues character guide

> Fabius Maximus in Dialogues by Seneca.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Fabius Verrucosus, Verrucosus

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Who they are

Roman general, known for his delaying tactics against Hannibal.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-i)

Praised for delaying tactics that saved the Roman state.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xi)

Roman general who restored the state by delaying and spinning out time, conquering his anger before Hannibal.

### [Book II: The Nature and Cure of Anger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-ii)

Quoted for saying that the most shameful excuse a general can make is 'I did not think.'

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxxi)

Quoted for his saying that 'I did not think' is the most shameful excuse a general can make, used to illustrate the folly of being unprepared for human failings.

### [On the Shortness of Life: The Busy Man's Loss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/x)

Quoted as a philosopher who advocated fighting passions by main force, not sophistry.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiii)

Referenced as Fabianus, Seneca's friend who doubted the value of such studies.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/vii)

Used the metaphor of a gritty loaf of bread to describe benefits given harshly.

### [Book IV: The Intrinsic Value of Benefits and Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-iv)

Mentioned as Verrucosus, along with Allobrogicus and the three hundred Fabii, as examples of a family whose virtue earned respect for later descendants like Fabius Persicus.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxvii)

Cited as an example of a man who 'by delays retrieved the day,' not inherently rash.

### [On the Duty of Respecting Ancestral Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxx)

Mentioned as Verrucosus, whose family's virtue elevated Fabius Persicus to priesthoods.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/fabius_maximus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters