A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. Cn.ServiliusGeminus, P. F. Q. N., a son of No. 1, was consul in B. C. 217, with C. Flaminius. He entered his office on the ides of March, and had Gaul for his province. He afterwards gave up his army to the dictator, Q. Fabius, and while his colleague fought the unfortunate battle of lake Trasimenus, Cn. Servilius sailed with a fleet of 120 ships round the coasts of Sardinia and Corsica in chase of the Carthaginians; and having received hostages everywhere, he crossed over into Africa. On his voyage thither he ravaged the island of Meninx, and spared Cercina only on the receipt of ten talents from its inhabitants. After he had landed with his troops in Africa, they indulged in the same system of plunder; but being careless and unacquainted with the localities, they were taken by surprise and put to flight by the inhabitants. About one thousand of them were killed, the rest sailed to Sicily, and the fleet being there entrusted to P. Sura, who was ordered to take it back to Rome, Cn Servilius himself travelled on foot through Sicily; and being called back by the dictator, Q. Fabius Maximus, he crossed the straits, and went to Italy. About the autumn he undertook the command of the army of Minucius, and, in conjunction with his colleague M. Atilius Regulus, he carried on the war against Hannibal, though he carefully avoided entering into any decisive engagement. His imperium was prolonged for the year 216; and before the battle of Cannae he was the only one who agreed with the consul L. Aemilius Paullus in the opinion that a battle should not be ventured upon. However, the battle was fought, and Cn. Servilius himself was found among the dead. (Liv. 21.57, 22.1, 31, 32, 43, 49; Plb. 3.75, 77, 88, 96, 106, 114, 116; Appian, Annib. 8, 12, 16, 18, 19, 22-24; Cic. Tusc. 1.37.)