Gnaeus Servilius Geminus

Who was Gnaeus Servilius Geminus?

Gnaeus Servilius Geminus was a Roman consul, serving as both general and admiral of Roman forces, during the Second Punic War.

The son of Publius Servilius Geminus, Gnaeus Geminus was elected as consul in early 217 BC. By March of that year Geminus began directing military operations against Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca around Ariminum. Following the death of consul Gaius Flaminius at the Battle of Lake Trasimene in April, Geminus assumed command of the Roman fleet overseeing coastal defense and battles against Sardinia, Corsica and the North African coast.

In November, Geminus resumed command of Roman land forces and, becoming elected proconsul in early-216, become involved in skirmishes with approaching Carthaginian forces under Hannibal from March until May, before he was killed while in command of the center of the Roman line during the Battle of Cannae on August 2, 216 BC.