Gaius Laelius, general and statesman, was a friend of the elder Scipio, whom he accompanied on his Spanish campaign (210 BC - 206 BC).

In Scipio's consulship (205 BC), Laelius went with him to Sicily, whence he conducted an expedition to Africa. In 203 BC he defeated the Massaesylian prince Syphax, who, breaking his alliance with Scipio, had joined the Carthaginians, and at Zama (202) rendered considerable service in command of the cavalry.

In 197 he was plebeian aedile and in 196 BC praetor of Sicily. As consul in 190 he was employed in organizing the recently conquered territory in Cisalpine Gaul. Placentia and Cremona were repeopled, and a new colony founded at Bononia.