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Often appears with: siege and fortification · siege of syracuse · crime and punishment · counsel and advisers to rulers · treaties, truces, and peacemaking · siege and capture of syracuse · severus · severity after victory · serenianus killed · saverne and rhine operations · roman citizenship revocation · public finance and debt
Usually: narrative (6) · indignation (4) · betrayal (3) · wonder (3) · commentary or gloss (1) · grief and loss (1) · injustice endured (1) · sudden reversal of fortune (1) · the fall of the great (1) · the test or trial (1)
“one man and one intellect, properly qualified for the particular undertaking, is a host in itself and of extraordinary efficacy.” Polybius, The Histories of Polybius, Vol. 1 (of 2) · insight
“For amid arms and trumpets the equality of every one's chance makes danger seem lighter; and often the might of martial valour obtains what it aims at.” Ammianus Marcellinus, The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus · insight
“The conscious pride of Julian, who was indebted only to his sword for this signal deliverance, was imbittered by the reflection, that he was abandoned, betrayed, and perhaps devoted to destruction, by those who were bound to assist him, by every tie of honor and fidelity.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · insight
“For in the beginning of spring, Marcellus being in doubt whether he should direct the operations of the war against Himilco and Hippocrates at Agrigentum, or press the siege of Syracuse, though he saw that it was impossible to take the city by force, which, from its situation, both with respect to sea and land, was impregnable, nor by famine, as it was supported by an uninterrupted supply of provisions from Carthage, yet that he might leave no course untried, directed the Syracusan deserters” Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Books 09 to 26 · insight
“While many acts exhibited horrid examples of rage and rapacity, it is recorded that Archimedes, while intent on some figures which he had described in the dust, although the confusion was as great as could possibly exist in a captured city, in which soldiers were running up and down in search of plunder, was put to death by a soldier, who did not know who he was;” Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Books 09 to 26 · vivid
During the active siege of Capua, Marcellus finishes the siege of Syracuse using an internal conspiracy: exiles communicate, a failed plot is exposed and punished, then a ladder assault during Diana’s festival succeeds.
would not sustain his approach. The ambassadors, dismissed with these hopes, with difficulty effected their return to Capua, which was by this time surrounded by a double trench and rampart. 23. At the time when the circumvallation of Capua was carrying on with the greatest activity, the siege of Syracuse, which had been forwarded by intestine treachery, in addition to the efforts and bravery of the general and his …
Livy describes the aftermath of the capture of Syracuse: Marcellus receives Syracusans seeking safety; the city is plundered; Archimedes is killed; measures protect Hiero’s legacy; grain from Utica prevents a famine; and some Spain planning follows.
Mericus, with the men under his command, had joined them, he sounded a retreat, lest the royal treasure, the fame of which was greater than the reality, should be plundered. 31. The impetuosity of the soldiers having been checked, time and opportunity to escape were given to the deserters in the Achradina; and the Syracusans, at length delivered from their fears, threw open the gates of the Achradina, and sent deput…
Plutarch begins the life of Marcellus, describing Marcus Claudius Marcellus as a martial Roman and war leader, detailing his character, his quarrel with Capitolinus over his son’s assault, and his honors.
From their first youth unto their utmost age Appointed the laborious wars to wage, certainly they were the chief Romans of that time; who in their youth had war with the Carthaginians in Sicily, in their middle age with the Gauls in the defense of Italy itself; and, at last, when now grown old, struggled again with Hannibal and the Carthaginians, and wanted in their latest years what is granted to most men, exemptio…
Caesar petitions for the consulship and provincial continuance, while Pompey’s allies oppose him through civic punishments in New Comum and by financial largesse and propaganda, heightening tensions before armed conflict.
had two, Spain and all Africa, which he governed by his lieutenants, and maintained armies under him, at the yearly charge of a thousand talents out of the public treasury. Upon this Caesar also sent and petitioned for the consulship, and the continuance of his provinces. Pompey at first did not stir in it, but Marcellus and Lentulus opposed it, who had always hated Caesar, and now did every thing, whether fit or u…
Marcellus kills the imprisoned Serenianus, then is defeated and executed after his usurpation; the war ends, Procopius’s head is sent west, and Procopius’s former opponents face harsh sentences.
by pleading his relationship to Constantine, would at a small cost be easily won over to support him, and also because he was ignorant of what had happened in Illyricum. 4. While these alarming events were taking place, Equitius, having learnt by trustworthy reports from his scouts that the whole stress of the war was now to be found in Asia, passed through the Succi, and made a vigorous attempt to take Philippopoli…
Gibbon explains Julian’s frustration that Marcellus failed to relieve him at Sens, leading to command changes, and then recounts a planned campaign with Julian versus Germans undermined by Barbatio’s apparent sabotage.
much better satisfied with the success of his first campaign than Julian himself; who very fairly owns that he did nothing of consequence, and that he fled before the enemy.] The conscious pride of Julian, who was indebted only to his sword for this signal deliverance, was imbittered by the reflection, that he was abandoned, betrayed, and perhaps devoted to destruction, by those who were bound to a…
Romans under Appius Claudius and Marcellus prepare to assault Syracuse at Hexapylus and by sea, but Archimedes’ defenses and inventions thwart them, turning assault attempts into a long blockade.
[Sidenote: The siege turned into a blockade, B.C. 214. Coss. Q. Fabius Maximus IV. M. Claudius Marcellus III.] +9.+ Nor was Appius Claudius more successful. He, too, was compelled by similar difficulties to desist from the attempt; for while his men were still at a considerable distance from the wall, they began falling by the stones and shots from the engines and catapults. The volleys of missiles, indeed, were ext…