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Individual: Marcus Minucius Rufus
Represented By: Emma Allen
Crisis Committee – The Second Punic War
The Second Punic War was a long, wearisome war fought between the rising power
house that was Rome, and the mighty economic Carthage. Both of these states, located within
the Mediterranean, were fighting a bitter power struggle which they had also done decades
before. This war included the historical Hannibal, the extremely intelligent general of the
Carthage army. Though the Carthaginians obviously have the under hand by having the great
mind of Hannibal to lead its army, series of events occur which allow Rome to triumph, and
leads Carthage to its own demise. One of the Romans that would contribute to Rome’s
miraculous victory was Marcus Minucius Rufus. Though he died early into the war, Marcus
Minucius Rufus was very influential during the first years of the Second Punic War.
Marcus Minucius Rufus was an important Roman in the Second Punic War, especially
during the time which this crisis begins, in 218 BCE. A few years prior, in 221 BCE, Minucius
held one of the two positions of consuls of Rome. The consuls, essentially being the heads of
state, were positions which controlled enormous amounts of power in Roman political society.
Therefore, having held this position made Minucius recognizable and powerful amongst the
other dominant leaders in Rome. However, though being a consul is significant, Minucius is
mainly known for his role as Magister Equitum, which we was appointed in 217 BCE (a year
after the war began) by the dictator at the time, Quintus Fabius Maximus. The role of Magister
Equitum or “Master of the Horse” basically made Minucius the second-in-command to Fabius.
During that same year, Mincius lead a successful attack against the Carthaginians, which was
notably recognized by the Roman people, who demanded that Minucius be made co-dictator to
Fabius. However, this appointment did not last long; shortly after, during the battle of
Geronium, Minucius’s life was saved by Fabius, which resuled in Minucius accepting his true
position and becoming completely loyal to Fabuis. Although his appointment of these positions
follows the initiation of the Second Punic War, Minucius still plays an important and notable role
during the time period.
During the entire war, Rome’s only firm policy was, at all cost, to prevent Carthage from
regaining power after their victory over Hispania. Though both Minucius and Fabius shared
Rome’s policy, they had completely different tactics of achieving it. According to the Roman
historian, T. Livy, Minucius was “aggressive and headstrong master of horse”, and favoured a
very powerful and insistent military strategy, his hopes being to hit Hannibal with full force.
Whereas Fabius preferred the idea to delay and erode Hannibal’s will to go on. These ideas are
complete opposites of one another, which resulted in internal political tension and conflicts. In
order to resolve problems, Minucius would support the idea of having equal power to the dictator
Fabius. This would allow him to be able to respond to the current crisis at hand in a manner
which he would deem appropriate.
In response to the crisis, Minucius would believe that going to Saguntum’s aid, and
attacking Hannibal would be the most logical, politically correct solution. According to the
Treaty of Lutatius; the peace treaty that ended the First Punic War, Carthage has already broken
this agreement. Polybius, the Roman historian who lived during the time of which the crisis
occurs, states within The Complete Histories of Polybius that “the allies of either party are to be
secure from attack by the other”. Hannibal has violated this treaty by attacking Saguntum, a
recognized Roman ally. The treaty also states that “the Carthaginians shall not cross the Ebro
in arms”. Saguntum is only located 100 miles away from the Ebro River, and it is also known
that there are Carthaginian soldiers located north of the river. Though it is apparent why Rome
should attack Hannibal now, some might disagree with the logistics of it. However, in 218 BCE,
the year which the crisis takes place, the numbers all point in Rome’s favour. Rome has the
superior navy, which due to location, is a very beneficial advantage. Having control over the
islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and some island close to the coast of Hispana can be used to
its full potential and out numbers the Carthaginian’s navy more than 2 to 1. Although Hannibal
has 40 000 troops located at Saguntum, Rome already has 20 000 troops located in Spain, and
are no match for the 50 000 soldiers distributed amongst the main islands and Italy.
In conclusion, attacking Hannibal now would be the best solution. Not only would
Minucius whole heartedly support this, Rome would have great chances of winning. It would be
much better to defeat Hannibal now, before he acquires more land and alliances which would
result in over whelming power that Carthage would regain.