Marcus Atilius Regulus placed in a barrel lined with iron spikes; Carthaginian soldiers hammer more spikes into the barrel and prepare to close the lid. Etching by S. Rosa.

A Roman general in the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage, Marcus Atlius Regulus was captured by the Carthaginians, released by them on parole in order to propose peace terms to the Romans (who refused them), honourably returned to Carthage in fulfilment of his parole, and was put to death by torture