Marcus Claudius Marcellus vs Phocion

Marcellus was elected consul for the first time and campaigned in Cisalpine Gaul against the Insubres. He killed the Gallic chieftain Viridomarus in single combat, winning the spolia opima, a rare honor awarded for killing an enemy leader in battle.

After the disaster at Cannae, Marcellus defended the city of Nola against Hannibal's forces. He successfully repelled the Carthaginian attack, earning a reputation as one of the few Roman commanders able to stand up to Hannibal in the field.

Marcellus captured the Greek city of Syracuse after a two-year siege. The city had allied with Carthage, and its fall was a major blow to Hannibal's strategy. During the sack, the mathematician Archimedes was killed by a Roman soldier, despite Marcellus's orders to spare him.

While reconnoitering near Venusia, Marcellus and his colleague were ambushed by a Carthaginian force under Hannibal. Marcellus was killed in the skirmish, and his death was a significant loss for Rome. Hannibal reportedly gave him a proper burial.

Phocion consistently argued against war with Macedon, advocating for peace and cooperation with Philip II and Alexander the Great. He opposed Demosthenes's war policies, believing Athens was too weak to resist Macedonian power. This stance made him unpopular with the democratic faction.

Phocion led the Athenian resistance against the Macedonian general Antipater during the Lamian War. After the Athenian defeat at Crannon, he negotiated a peace treaty that imposed a Macedonian garrison and oligarchic government. Phocion was appointed as the head of the new government.

After the death of Antipater, the Athenian democracy was restored under Polyperchon. Phocion was recalled from exile, put on trial for treason, and condemned to death. He was forced to drink hemlock. His execution was later regretted by the Athenians, who gave him a public funeral.