Marcus Claudius Marcellus (c. 270-208 BCE) was a five-time consul and, earning the nickname the 'Sword of Rome', he was one of the city's greatest military commanders. Active in both the First and Second Punic Wars, he also won honours for his campaigns in Gaul and the capture of Mediolanum (modern Milan). Battling Hannibal in southern Italy and then famously capturing Syracuse on Sicily, Marcellus' run of victories came to an end when he faced the Carthaginian general in 209 BCE. One year later the Roman commander was killed in an ambush near Venusia (modern Venosa), where his tomb marker still stands today. He is not to be confused with Emperor Augustus' nephew of the same name.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 270 BCE - 208 BCELife of Roman commander Marcus Claudius Marcellus.
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c. 226 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus is made a praetor.
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222 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus is made consul for the first time.
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216 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus successfully defends Nola against attack from Hannibal during the Second Punic War.
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215 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus is made consul.
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214 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus is made consul.
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213 BCE - 212 BCERoman commander Marcus Claudius Marcellus lays seige to and ultimately sacks Syracuse.
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212 BCEA Carthaginian army is defeated in Sicily by a Roman army led by Marcellus. Syracuse falls to Rome who now control the island.
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211 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus is given a triumph for his capture of Syracuse and victories in Sicily.
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210 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus is made consul.
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208 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus is made consul for the fifth time.
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208 BCERoman commander Marcus Claudius Marcellus is killed in an ambush in Venusia, southern Italy.
