13. Q.Maenius, praetor B. C. 170, was employed in the Macedonian war. (Liv. 43.8.)
MAENON (Μαίνων), a Sicilian, a native of Segesta, had fallen as a captive when a youth into the hands of Agathocles, and rose to a high place in the favour of the Syracusan monarch; notwithstanding which, he was induced by Archagathus, the grandson of Agathocles, to unite in a project against the life of the aged king. He is said to have administered poison to him by means of a quill used as a toothpick, which brought about the death of Agathocles, with the most excruciating pains. Archagathus was at the time absent from Syracuse with an army, and the people having reestablished the democracy on the death of the old king, Maenon fled from Syracuse to the camp of Archagathus, but soon after took an opportunity to assassinate the young prince, and placed himself at the head of his troops. With this mercenary force he made war on the Syracusans, and though opposed by Hicetas with an army, he obtained the powerful support of the Carthaginians, which enabled him to dictate the terms of peace. One of the conditions imposed was the return of the exiles; but though this would seem likely to have placed Maenon in a prominent position at Syracuse, we hear nothing more of him from this time. (Diod. xxi., Exc. Hoesch. pp. 491-493.)
[E.H.B]