[25] As praefectus urbi. Nicolaus is correct and the other authors are wrong. App., 3, 9; Dio 43, 51; Plin., N. H., 7, 147 say that Octavius became magister equitum in this year. Gardthausen, Aug. und seine Zeit, p. 48, shows that there is a possibility for confusion between the terms praefectus urbi and magister equitum in the writings of the later Greek historians. The latter office would be considerably too responsible for a youth of 16 years, while it is conceivable that the duties of praefectus urbi, at least during the period of the Feriae when the city was almost entirely deserted, would not be excessively onerous. Strabo 5, C. 229 and Dio 49, 42 show that the practice of appointing youths for this office was continued by Augustus. [26] The proper duty of the praefectus urbi (CIL 2, 3387). 6. [27] He started for Spain in April, 49 B.C. (Cic., Att. 10, 3a) and in due time brought about the surrender of Afranius (Caes., B. C., 1, 37-87; App. 2, 42; Dio 41, 22; Suet., Caes. 34; 75). [28] Pharsalus, August 9 (= June 7 corrected calendar) 48 B.C. (Caes., B. C., 3, 75-99; App. 2, 64-82; Dio 41, 51-63; CIL 1^2 p. 324). [29] Referring to the Bellum Alexandrinum. In point of fact, Caesar left Egypt nominally free to be ruled by Cleopatra. [30] The Black Sea. The reference is to the battle at Zela with Pharnaces, son of Mithradates, whom he overcame on August 2/May 21, 47 B.C. (CIL 1^2 p. 244). This was the occasion of the celebrated ‘veni vidi vici.’ [31] Caesar embarked at Lilybaeum on December 25, 47 B.C. (Caes., B. Af., 2). 7. [32] Caesar arrived July 29, 46 B.C. (Caes., B. Af. 98). The decisive battle was Thapsus, April 6, reported in Rome about April 20 (Cic., Fam. 9, 2). [33] It was Caesar’s practice to put to death any who fell captive to him a second time (Dio 41, 62; 43, 17; 44, 45; 44, 46; Suet., Caes., 75). In describing the incident which follows, however, Nicolaus seems to have exaggerated the importance of Octavius’ exploit, for in every case of similar circumstances Caesar allowed each of his subordinates to secure the release of one prisoner. Dio 43, 12-13 says further that Caesar released Cato’s son and ‘most of the rest.’ Nicolaus evidently drew from Augustus’ personal memoirs of his youth for this portion of the biography, and found it advantageous to emphasize Octavius’ act at this juncture. For a contemporary commentary, see Cic., Fam. 6, 13, 3, where Caesar is said to be especially incensed at those involved in the African disturbance, but that with the lapse of time he seems to have become more indulgent toward them.