A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. M.JuniusSilanus, took the command of Neapolis, at the wish of the inhabitants, in the second Punic war, B. C. 216, in order to defend it against Hannibal. In B. C. 212 he was praetor, and obtained Etruria as his province, where he was chiefly employed in purchasing corn. In B. C. 210 he accompanied P. Scipio to Spain, and served under him with great distinction during the whole of the war in that country. His most brilliant exploit was the defeat of Hanno and Mago in Celtiberia in B. C. 207. When Scipio quitted Spain in the following year, he left Silanus in command of the army till the arrival of his successor. In B. C. 196 Silanus fell in battle against the Boii, where he fought under the consul M. Marcellus. (Liv. 23.15, 25.2, 3, 26.1, 19, 28.1, 2; Plb. 10.6, xi, 20, 23, 26, 33; Appian, Hisp. 28, 32).