[
95]
However, Octavius postponed his expedition against
Pompeius till the following year.
On account of the Parthian war Antony was not able to wait. Nevertheless,
they made an exchange with each other, Antony giving to Octavius 120 ships,
which he sent at once and delivered at Tarentum, in return for which
Octavius promised to send him 20,000 Italian legionaries. Octavia, begging
the favor from Antony, made her brother a present of ten three-banked
phaseli -- a combination of war-ship and merchant vessel -- and Octavius
gave her in return 1000 picked men as a body-guard, to be selected by
Antony. As the term of the triumvirate voted to them was about expiring,
they renewed it for five years without again asking the people. And so they
separated, Antony proceeding straightway to Syria and leaving Octavia with
her brother, and also a daughter already born to them.