# Spendius — Salammbô character guide

> Spendius in Salammbô by Gustave Flaubert.

**Role:** major

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-feast

## Snapshot

A Greek slave escaped from Carthaginian captivity, he becomes the mercenary revolt's most cunning strategist and Matho's indispensable second.

## Who they are

Spendius is a freed slave whose hatred of Carthage is colder and more patient than Matho's passion, and he supplies the revolt with the schemes its Libyan chief lacks. He manipulates the mercenary council, engineers the theft of the zaïmph, and keeps the siege alive when others would scatter. His intelligence makes the Barbarian cause genuinely dangerous, and his willingness to sacrifice anyone, including allies, gives the war its cruelest edge.

## Relationships

### [Matho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/matho)

_friendship_

Spendius is Matho's cunning and manipulative ally, inciting him to action for their mutual benefit.

### [Hanno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/hanno)

_rivalry_

Hanno and Spendius are enemies, with Spendius exploiting Hanno's incompetence to further the revolt.

### [Narr'Havas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/narr_havas)

_rivalry_

Narr'Havas and Spendius are tactical enemies, with Narr'Havas betraying the mercenaries to side with Carthage.

### [Matho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/matho)

_friendship_

Spendius is Matho's cunning and manipulative ally, inciting him to action for their mutual benefit.

### [Matho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/matho)

_friendship_

Spendius is Matho's cunning and manipulative ally, inciting him to action for their mutual benefit.

### [Narr'Havas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/narr_havas)

_rivalry_

Narr'Havas and Spendius are tactical enemies, with Narr'Havas betraying the mercenaries to side with Carthage.

### [Hanno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/hanno)

_rivalry_

Hanno and Spendius are enemies, with Spendius exploiting Hanno's incompetence to further the revolt.

## In the story

### [I: The Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/i-the-feast)

Spendius observes Matho's distress and recognizes Salammbô's chariot, restraining a cry as he understands the source of Matho's obsession.

### [At Sicca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/ii-at-sicca)

Spendius declaims against Carthage and later rouses the camp, circling on a Punic stallion to urge departure.

### [IV: Beneath the Walls of Carthage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/iv-beneath-the-walls-of-carthage)

Rouses the Libyans and Gauls against Gisco, warning of Carthaginian revenge and urging them to refuse payment.

### [V: Tanith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/v-tanith)

The cunning former slave who persuades Matho to steal the zaïmph, guiding him through the temple and escaping via the cliff and sea.

### [Hanno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/vi-hanno)

Remains calm and strategic, advising Matho to be patient and focusing on the siege of Utica.

### [VIII: The Battle of the Macaras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/viii-the-battle-of-the-macaras)

Conducts the siege with slackness, is defeated at the bridge, and later explains the tactical failures to Matho.

### [IX: In the Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/ix-in-the-field)

Spendius is urged by Matho to make haste, but his operations are hampered by Hamilcar's elusive tactics.

### [XII: The Aqueduct](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xii-the-aqueduct)

Plans and executes the infiltration of the aqueduct, using stealth and a bow to kill a sentry.

### [XIII: Moloch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xiii-moloch)

Arranges three great catapults opposite the principal angles and other siege engines for the assault.

### [XIV: The Pass of the Hatchet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xiv-the-pass-of-the-hatchet)

One of the Mercenary ambassadors; pleads with Hamilcar for peace, fawningly picks up the fallen ring, and is ultimately seized as one of the ten chiefs.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/spendius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters