A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Σπένδιος), one of the chief leaders of the Carthaginian mercenaries in their insurrection, after the close of the First Punic War, B. C. 241. He was a Campanian by birth, but had been a slave under the Romans, and having made his escape entered the service of the Carthaginians as a mercenary soldier, where he rose to a distinguished place by his great personal strength and daring. After the close of the war he became apprehensive lest he should be given up to the Romans, and hence exerted himself to the utmost in fomenting the discontents of his brother mercenaries, and preventing them from coming to any agreement with their Carthaginian masters. For this reason, when the troops at length broke out into open mutiny, he was chosen, together with an African of the name of Matho, to be their leader. The proceedings of the two joint commanders during the war which followed, have been already related under MATHO. Spendius was at length taken prisoner by Hamilcar Barca [HAMILCAR, No. 8, p. 329], and crucified by his orders before the walls of Tunis : his body afterwards fell into the power of Matho, who caused the Carthaginian general Hannibal to be suspended in its place upon the same cross. (Plb. 1.69, &c., 85, 86 ; Diod. xxv. Exc. Vales. p. 567, Exc. Vat. p. 55.)

[E.H.B]