Gaius Servilius Geminus (Praetor)

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Gaius Servilius Geminus († after 203 BC) was a Roman politician belonging to the Servilians in the second half of the 3rd century BC. BC He came in 218 BC. The Boier was a prisoner of war from which he was only freed 15 years later by his son of the same name .

Life

Gaius Servilius Geminus is believed to be the son of the consul from 252 and 248 BC. BC, Publius Servilius Geminus . He had at least two sons, the older of whom had the same name as his father and was 203 BC. Officiated as consul, while the younger son Marcus Servilius Pulex Geminus in the following year 202 BC. Reached the highest state office. Since both sons were plebeians , their father, Gaius Servilius Geminus, who is treated here, may already have converted from the patricians to the plebeians.

After Gaius Servilius Geminus held a curular office and around 220 BC Had held the praetur , he belonged in 218 BC. To those triumvirs who were responsible for founding the colonies Placentia and Cremona . Of the names of the triumvirs, the Greek historian Polybius mentions only those of the consular Gaius Lutatius Catulus , while of the other two he only mentions their rank (Praetorians); and Titus Livius remarks in this connection that only the name of Lutatius is fully guaranteed, whereas those of the other triumvirs were given differently in the annals available to him, whereby the name of Geminus appears only in the first of the three variants cited by him. However, since the Roman historian later reports on the liberation of Geminus by his son (see below), it is certain that apart from Catulus Geminus also belonged to the triumvirs.

The same year Placentia and Cremona were founded, the Second Punic War broke out. The Boier were annoyed with the establishment of the colonies mentioned, since they were located on their territory. After learning of Hannibal's approach , they launched an attack on the Roman settlers together with the Insubres . Like the triumvirs , they fled to Mutina , where they were besieged by the Boians. After the triumvirs came out of the city to negotiate peace, they were taken prisoner by the Boiern.

In Rome , for almost ten years it was believed that Geminus was killed by the Boians. Around 209 BC However, the news got through that he was still alive and still in captivity. Not until 203 BC Together with his fellow sufferer Catulus, he was freed by his elder son, who was consul, and led back to Rome by him. After that he is no longer mentioned in the preserved sources.

literature

Remarks

  1. ↑ Friedrich Münzer : Servilius 59). In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume II A, 2, Stuttgart 1923, column 1791.
  2. ↑ Polybios 3, 40, 9f.
  3. ↑ Livy 21, 25, 3f.
  4. ↑ Polybios 3, 40, 6-10; Livy 21:25, 1-7.
  5. ↑ Livy 27, 21, 10 and 30, 19, 9.
personal data
SURNAME Servilius Geminus, Gaius
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Geminus, Gaius Servilius
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Roman praetor (around 220 BC)
DATE OF BIRTH 3rd century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH after 203 BC Chr.