He had also constructed a machine, if one can call such a thing a machine.
It was in fact an image of a woman richly dressed and was a very good likeness of the wife of Nabis.
Whenever he summoned any of the citizens before him with the design of extracting money from him he would begin by addressing him in kind terms,
pointing out the danger to which the city and country were exposed from the Achaeans and calling attention to the number of the mercenaries he was obliged to maintain to ensure the safety of his subjects, as well as to the amount spent on religious ceremonies and the public outlay of the city. If they yielded to these arguments it was sufficient for his purpose.
But if anyone refused and objected to pay the sum imposed, he would continue somewhat as follows: "Very possibly I shall not be able to persuade you, but I think this Apega of mine may do so" — this being his wife's name —
and even as he spoke in came the image I have described.
When the man offered her his hand he made the woman rise from her chair and taking her in his arms drew her gradually to his bosom.<note place="end" resp="tr" id="note3">The description of this "Maiden" has evidently been shortened by the epitomator, thus confusing the persons.</note>Both her arms and hands as well as her breasts were covered with iron nails concealed under her dress. So that when Nabis rested his hands on her back and then by means of certain springs drew his victim towards her and increasing the pressure brought him at all in contact with her breasts he made the man thus embraced say anything and everything.
Indeed by this means he killed a considerable number of those who denied him money.
Walbank Commentary