a leader of Spanish mercenaries in the service of Syracuse at the time when that city was
besieged by Marcellus. After the departure of Epicydes, and the massacre of the officers whom
he had left in the command, six new praetors were appointed, of whom Mericus was one; but he
entered into a correspondence with his countrymen in the Roman service; and being entrusted
with the charge of part of the island of Ortygia, took the opportunity to admit a body of
Roman troops into that fortress. By this means Marcellus became master of the citadel, which
soon led to the capture of the whole city,