Centenius

proprietor in B. C. 217, was sent by the consul Cn. Servilius Geminus from the neighbourhood of Ariminum with 4000 cavalry to the assistance of his colleague C. Flaminius in Etruria, whom he intended to join with all his forces. Centenius took possession of a narrow pass in Umbria near the lake Plestine, so called from a town, Plestia, in its neighboulrhood; and here, after Hannibal's victory at the Trasimene lake, he was attacked by Maharbal, one of Hannibal's officers, and defeated; those of his troops that were not killed took refuge on a hill, but were compelled to surrender next day. Appian, who is the only writer that gives us the exact place of this defeat, confounds C. Centenius with the M. Centenius mentioned be low. (Plb. 3.86; Liv. 22.8; Appian, Anib. 9-11, 17; Zonar. 8.25; C. Nepos. Hannib. 4.)

first centurion of the triarii (primi pili), who had obtained his discharge after serving his full military time, and was distinguished for his bravery, obtained front the senate in B. C. 212 the command of 8000 men, half of whom were Roman citizens and half allies, by his assurance that his knowledge of the enemy and the country would enable him to gain some great advantage in a short time. The number of men granted him by the senate was nearly doubled by volunteers; and with these he marched into Lucania, offered battle to Hannibal, and was, as a matter of course, defeated. (Liv. 25.19; Oros. 4.16.)