Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 35
Cyrus Evans, Ed.

35. At Lacedaemon, the city was not to be attempted by force, but the tyrant to be entrapped by stratagem. [2] For though he had been stripped of the maritime towns by the Romans, and afterwards shut up within the walls of his city by the Achaeans, they supposed that whoever took the first opportunity of killing him would engross the whole thanks of the Lacedaemonians. [3] The pretence which they had for sending to him, was, that he had long solicited assistance from them, since, by their advice, he had renewed the war. [4] A thousand foot were put under the command of Alexamenus, with thirty horsemen, chosen from among the youth. [5] These received a charge from Damocritus, the praetor, in the select council of the nation, mentioned above, “not to suppose that they were sent to a war with the Achaeans; or even on other business, which any one might ascertain to himself from his own conjectures. Whatever sudden enterprise circumstances might direct Alexamenus to undertake, that (however unexpected, rash, or daring) they were to hold themselves in readiness to execute with implicit obedience; and should understand that to be the matter, for the sole purpose of effecting which they had been sent abroad.” [6] With these men, thus pre-instructed, Alexamenus came to the tyrant, and, immediately on approaching him, filled him with hopes; telling him, that “Antiochus had already come over into Europe; [7] that he would shortly be in Greece, and would cover the lands and seas with men and arms; that the Romans would find that they had not Philip to deal with: that the numbers of the horsemen, footmen, and ships, could not be reckoned; and that the train of elephants, by their mere appearance, would effectually daunt the enemy: [8] that the Aetolians were prepared to come to Lacedaemon with their entire force, whenever occasion required; but that they wished to show the king, on his arrival, a numerous body of troops: [9] that Nabis himself, likewise, ought to take care not to suffer his soldiers to be enervated by inaction, and dwelling in houses; but to lead them out, and make them perform their evolutions under arms, which, while it exercised their bodies, would also rouse their courage; that the labour would become lighter by practice, and might even be rendered not unpleasing by the affability and kindness of their commander.” [10] Thenceforward, the troops used frequently to be drawn out under the walls of the city, [p. 1591]in a plain near the river Eurotas. The tyrant's life-guards were generally posted in the centre. [11] He himself, attended by three horsemen at the most, of whom Alexamenus was commonly one, rode about in front, and went to view both wings to their extremities. On the right wing were the Aetolians; both those who had been before in his army as auxiliaries, and the thousand who came with Alexamenus. [12] Alexamenus made it his custom to ride about with Nabis through a few of the ranks, offering such advice as seemed most suitable; [13] then to join his own troops in the right wing; and presently after, as if having given the orders which the occasion might require, to return to the tyrant. [14] But, on the day which he had fixed for the perpetration of the deed of death, after accompanying the tyrant for a little time, he withdrew to his own soldiers, and addressed the horsemen, sent from home with him, in these words: [15] “Young men, that deed is now to be dared and done which you were ordered to execute valiantly under my guidance. [16] Have your courage and your hands ready, that none may fail to second me in whatever he sees me attempt. If any one shall hesitate, and prefer any scheme of his own to mine, let him rest assured that there is no return to his home for him.” [17] Horror seized them all, and they well remembered the charge which they had received at setting out. The tyrant was now coming from the left wing. [18] Alexamenus ordered his horsemen to rest their lances, and keep their eyes fixed on him; and in the mean time he himself re-collected his spirits, which had been discomposed by the meditation of such a desperate attempt. As soon as the tyrant came near, he charged him; and driving his spear through his horse, brought the rider to the ground. [19] The horsemen aimed their lances at him as he lay, and after many ineffectual strokes against his coat of mail, their points at length penetrated his body, so that, before relief could be sent from the centre, he expired.