Marcus Claudius Marcellus (268 - 208 BC)

The Town of Marcellus was named after Marcus Claudius Marcellus. One of the
most distinguished members of a Roman plebian family, Marcellus lived from
approximately 268 - 208 BC. As a Roman General he waged war against the
Insubres in Gaul, defeating their chief in single combat in 222, and held off
Hannibal three times at Nola in 216 and 214. During the second Punic War, the
Roman Army led by Marcellus, conquered Syracuse in 211 BC after a two-year
siege by outwitting Archimedes' brilliantly engineered defenses. Marcellus served
as consul in 222, 216, 214, 210 and 208, but was surprised by the enemy near
Venusia and killed in 208. His successes have been exaggerated by Livy, but he
was deserving of the name often given to him: "The Sword of Rome."