[22] That of pontifex (Cic., Phil., 5, 17; Vell., 2, 59).
[23] Valesius took this to be a reference to a custom prevalent in Rome in Cicero’s time. Foppish young men and even senators were to be seen arrayed not in the ordinary Roman, but in Eastern garb. See Cic., pro Rab. Post., 10, 27, where, however, there is a slight corruption of the text.
5.[24] In the autumn of 47, if both consuls were present as Nicolaus says. The Feriae Latinae were inaugurated in 49 (CIL 1, p. 440, Fasti Cos. Capitolini). The following year, 48, Caesar was absent in the East, as was also the case in 46 and 45. In 45 ‘a certain prefect’ conducted the Feriae (Dio 43, 48) for Caesar was then sole consul; in 48 and 46 the other consul was probably in charge. For 48 this was [Servilius] Isauricus and for 46, Lepidus.
[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 12 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 12 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).