Pothinus and Ptolemy began to take measures for securing the army on their side.

An open rupture finally ensued, and Cleopatra was expelled from the kingdom.
She went to Syria.

Syria was the nearest place of refuge, and then, besides, it was the country from which the aid had been furnished by which her father had been restored to the throne when he had been expelled, in a similar manner, many years before.

Her father, it is true, had gone first to Rome; but the succors which he had negotiated for had been sent from Syria.

Cleopatra hoped to obtain the same assistance by going directly there.
Nor was she disappointed.