Alexandria commenced a revolt.

Ptolemy was not a man to act decidedly against such a demonstration, or, in fact, to evince either calmness or courage in any emergency whatever.

His first thought was to escape from Alexandria to save his life.

His second, to make the best of his way to Rome, to call upon the Roman people to come to the succor of their ally! Ptolemy left five children behind him in his flight The eldest was the Princess Berenice, who had already reached maturity.

The second was the great Cleopatra, the subject of this history.