Note 45 — TRANSLATION

12.[45] Lacuna of 2 pages. The information embodied in chapters 10-12 is unique with Nicolaus and hence does not permit of any basis for comparison with other writers. Suet., Aug., 8 makes the brief statement that Octavian proceeded to Spain to join his great-uncle after recovering from his illness; Vell. 2, 59, 3 briefly notes that Octavius was with Caesar, and Dio 43, 41, in alluding to the prodigy of the sprouting palm, seems to infer that Octavius was present during the entire expedition, including Munda. This portion of Nicolaus’ biography shows every indication of having been compiled with much dependence upon Augustus’ memoirs. It is possible that Nicolaus enlarged upon the importance of Octavius’ actions in these chapters over and above the material which he found in Augustus’ memoirs; however, the tone of the Monumentum Ancyranum shows that false modesty, at least, was not over-evident in the character of the autobiographer in that case, and it is conceivable therefore that Nicolaus has repeated Augustus’ words much as he found them.