he did not wait, either because he did not approve of the war, considering it a violation of the treaty, or because he observed Octavian's great preparations (for the desire to be the sole ruler did not permit their fears to slumber at any time), or because he was alarmed by a prodigy. It was found that one of the guards who slept around his tent had been devoured by wild beasts except his face only, as though this had been left for the purpose of recognition, and that he had uttered no cry, nor did any of those who were asleep with him know of it. The Brundusians said that a wolf had been seen just before daybreak running away from the tents. Nevertheless Antony wrote to Octavian not to violate the treaty, and
he threatened Menodorus with punishment as his own fugitive slave;for he had been the slave of Pompey the Great,whose property Antony had bought when it was sold under the law of war.Octavian sent officers to receive Sardinia and Corsica,which Menodorus turned over to them.He strengthened the Italian coast with numerous towers to prevent Pompeius from raiding it again.He ordered the building of new triremes at Rome and Ravenna,and he sent for a large army from Illyria.When Menodorus came he made the latter a free citizen instead of a freedman,and put him in command,under the admiral Calvisius,of the ships which he had brought with him. When Menodorus came he made the latter a free citizen instead of a freedman,
and put him in command, under the admiral Calvisius, of the ships which he had brought with him. When he had finished these preparations and brought together a still larger amount of war material he yet delayed, and he reproached Antony for not waiting. He ordered Cornificius to bring with him to Tarentum everything that was now in readiness. While Cornificius was making the voyage a storm overtook him which destroyed only the admiral's ship, which had been built for Octavian himself. This was considered an omen of what was to take place. As the belief still prevailed that this war was a violation of the treaty, Octavian sought to dispel the suspicion.
