The original will which Ptolemy Auletes had executed had been deposited in the public archives of Alexandria, and carefully preserved there.

An authentic copy of it had been sent to Rome.

Caesar caused the original will to be brought out and read to the assembly.

The provisions of it were perfectly explicit and clear.

It required that Cleopatra and Ptolemy should be married, and then settled the sovereign power upon them jointly, as king and queen.