Caius Fabius

Also known as: C. Fabius / Fabius · Family: Roman · Role: lieutenant · First appears: The Gallic War, Book V, 23–28

In Book V of the Gallic War, Caesar assigned Caius Fabius, his lieutenant, a legion to winter among the Morini, and later sent him back to his winter quarters. In Book VII, Caesar left him with two legions to guard the camp; after it was attacked, Fabius blocked most of its gates, strengthened the ramparts, and prepared for another assault. Caesar later stationed him with Lucius Minucius Basilus among the Remi to protect against the Bellovaci.

In Book VIII, Caesar ordered Fabius to march with two legions to the Suessiones, then detached him with twenty-five cohorts to the remotest part of Gaul. Fabius restored many states to allegiance and took hostages. He went to aid Duracius, and as he approached, Dumnacus retreated; Fabius’s cavalry attacked the fleeing force, and his arriving legions routed it, killing more than twelve thousand and taking its baggage. Fabius then recovered states including the Carnutes, who submitted and gave hostages. At Uxellodunum, he joined Caius Caninius Rebilus and took responsibility for besieging one side of the town; Caesar later detached him with four legions to the Aedui.

In Book I of the Civil War, Caesar sent Fabius into Spain with three legions and ordered him to seize the Pyrenean passes. Fabius dislodged the force occupying them and marched to Lucius Afranius’s army. When a collapsed bridge cut off his cavalry, Afranius crossed with four legions to attack Fabius’s two; Fabius sent two legions to reinforce his men, and both commanders returned to their camps.