Malchus (/ˈmælkəs/; Punic: 𐤌𐤋𐤒 MLQ, or 𐤌𐤋𐤊 MLK; Ancient Greek: Μάλχος, Malkhōs) was a Carthaginian general and statesman in the 6th century BCE.
[citation needed] He was sent to Sicily as commander sometime after 576 BC, likely due to the Phoenician (and possibly also Elymian) cities' pleas for help against Greek expansion westward into the island.
It's possible that Malchus captured the Greek city of Selinus and the Phoenician colonies of Motya, Panormus and Soluntum during the ensuing battles.
Although it remains unclear whether he fought against Pentathlus of Cnidus, legendary founder of Lilybaeum, or the tyrant Phalaris of Akragas, it is safe to assume that Malchus was generally successful with his campaign on the island.
Around 540 BC, Malchus is sent to Sardinia at the command of an army, numbering 80,000 men according to the Roman historian Justin, presumably to support the resident Phoenicians against the indigenous Nuragic Sardinians.