Spuri'nus, Q. Peti'llius
was praetor urbanus in B. C. 181, and was commissioned to levy troops on account of the war with the Ligurians.
In his praetorship the books of king Numa Pompilius are said to have been discovered upon the estate of one L. Petillius, though some writers give a different name for the latter person. Spurinus obtained possession of the books, and upon his representation to the senate that they ought not to be read and preserved, the senate ordered them to be burnt (
Liv. 40.18,
26,
29;
V. Max. 1.1.12;
Plin. Nat. 13.14. s. 27; Plut.
Num. 22 ; August.
de Civ. Dei, 7.34; Lactant. 1.22; comp. NUMA, Vol. II. p. 1213). Spurinus was consul in B. C. 176 with Cn. Cornelius Scipio Hispallus, and fell in battle against the Ligurians. (
Liv. 41.14-
18;
V. Max. 1.5.9,
2.7.15 ; Obsequ. 64; Fasti Capitol.)
