The Persian sovereigns were, however, above all law, and every species of incestuous marriage was practiced by them without shame.

The Ptolemies followed their example.
One of the most striking exhibitions of the nature of incestuous domestic life which is afforded by the whole dismal panorama of pagan vice and crime, is presented in the history of the great-grandfather of the Cleopatra who is the principal subject of this narrative.

He was Ptolemy Physcon, the seventh in the line.

It is necessary to give some particulars of his history and that of his family, in order to explain the circumstances under which Cleopatra herself came upon the stage.

The name Physcon, which afterward became his historical designation, was originally given him in contempt and derision.