<head>Nabis, Tyrant of Sparta</head>Nabis, tyrant of the Lacedaemonians, who had now been in power for over two years, had not yet ventured to attempt any important enterprise, the defeat of Machanidas by the Aetolians being so recent,
but was occupied in laying the foundations of a lasting and oppressive tyranny.
For he utterly exterminated those of the royal houses<note place="end" resp="tr" id="note2">Some definition of<span class="greek">λοιπούς</span>has obviously dropped out.</note>who survived in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>, and banishing those citizens who were distinguished for their wealth and illustrious ancestry, gave their property and wives to the chief of his own supporters and to his mercenaries,
who were for the most part murderers, rippers, highwaymen, and burglars. For such kind of people flocked sedulously to his court from all over the world, people who dared not set foot in their own countries owing to their crimes against God and man.
As he constituted himself their protector and employed these men as satellites and members of his bodyguard, it was evident that his rule would long be memorable for its wickedness.
Besides the abuses I have mentioned, not content with banishing the citizens, he left no place safe for them in their exile and no refuge secure.
For he sent men after some to slay them on their journey and killed others as they were returning from their country seats.
Finally, in the towns, renting through unsuspected agents the houses next door to those in which the exiles resided, he introduced Cretans into them, who breaking down the walls and shooting through the existing windows slew the exiles in their own houses either when standing or reposing, so that for the unhappy Spartans there was no place to fly to and no moment at which their lives were safe.
It was by these means that he destroyed the greater number of them.
Walbank Commentary