tyrant of Sparta, reigned about 254 B.C.; and is reported to have exceeded all other tyrants so far, that, upon comparison, he left the epithets of gracious and merciful to Dionysius and Phalaris. He is said to have contrived an instrument of torture in the form of a statue of a beautiful woman, whose rich drapery concealed a number of iron spikes in her bosom and arms. When any one therefore opposed his demands, he would say, "If I have not talents enough to prevail with you, perhaps my woman Apgea may persuade you." The statue then appeared; which Nabis taking by the hand, led up to the person, who, being embraced by it, was thus tortured into compliance. To render his tyranny less unpopular, Nabis made an alliance with Flamininus the Roman general, and pursued with the most inveterate enmity the war which he had undertaken against the Achaeans. He besieged Gythium, and defeated Philopoemen in a naval battle. His triumph was short, the general of the Achaeans soon repaired his losses, and Nabis was defeated in an engagement, and killed as he attempted to save his life by flight, about 194 years before the Christian era.

NABLUS, a province of Syria anciently celebrated under the name of the kingdom of Samaria. Its capital, likewise called Nablous, is situated near to Sichem on the ruins of the Niepolis of the Greeks, and is the residence of a sheik, who is subordinate to the pache of Damascus, from whom he farms the tribute of the province.