A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. M.SergiusSilus, the great-grandfather of Catiline, distinguished himself by his extraordinary bravery in the second Punic war. Although he had lost his right hand, and received twenty-three wounds in two campaigns, he continued in the army, and fought four times against the Carthaginians with his left hand alone. He was praetor urbanus in B. C. 197, in which year six praetors were elected for the first time (Plin. Nat. 7.28. s. 29; Liv. 32.27, 28, 31, 33.21). The annexed coin of the Sergia gens was probably struck in honour of this Sergius Silus by his son. The reverse represents a horseman in full gallop, holding in his left hand the head of a foe. (Eckhel, vol. v. p. 306.)