XXVIL Although Nabis was confronted by so serious a war both by land and sea, and a just comparison of his own strength 袱th that of the enemy left him hardly any hope of success, he did not give up the struggle. He called up iooo picked troops from Crete in addition to the iooo he had already;there were io.ooo of his own subiects under arms including the garrisons 认the country districts, and he also fortified the city of Sparta with rampart and fosse. To prevent any internal disturbance he kept the citizens in check by the fear of ruthless.punishment. as he could not expect them to desire a tyrant's safety and success. There were certain citizens whom he suspected.and after marching all hi' forces on to a level space called the promos he then assembled the Lacedaemonians in front of him, ordering them to lay down their arms, and surrounding them with his armed bodyguard. He then explained briefly why he ought to be excused for feeling grave apprehensions and taking strict precautions at such a critical time, and he pointed out that it was in their own interest that any persons whom the present state of affaim brought under suspicion should be prevented from doing mischief rather than punished for having done it. He should therefore keep certain persons in custody until the storm which was threatening had passed over. If he was sufficiently on his guard against domestic treason he would have all the less cause to fear a foreign foe, and when the enemy had been repulsed they would at once be set at liberty. He then directed the names of some eighty of the principal men of milita方age to be called over, and as each answered to his name he ordered him into custody. During the night they were all put to death. The Helots are a class who from early.times have occupied the fortified villazes in the countrv districts and worked on the land. -3ome oi tnese were now cnargea witn attemptea aesertion ana after being whipped through all the streets were put to death. The terror thus created so completely quelled the population that all attempts at revolution were at an end. Nabis kept his troops within their lines, as he did not feel himself a match for the enemy in the field and he was afraid to-leave the city in such a state of suspense and uncertainty.