He received them with great kindness, and, instead of visiting them with any penalties for having fought against him, he honored the fidelity and bravery they had evinced in the service of their own former master.

Caesar had, in fact, shown the same generosity to the soldiers of Pompey's army that he had taken prisoners at the battle of Pharsalia.

At the close of the battle, he issued orders that each one of his soldiers should have permission to _save_ one of the enemy.

Nothing could more strikingly exemplify both the generosity and the tact that marked the great conqueror's character than this incident.
The hatred and revenge which had animated his victorious soldiery in the battle and in the pursuit, were changed immediately by the permission to compassion and good will.

The ferocious soldiers turned at once from the pleasure of hunting their discomfited enemies to death, to that of protecting and defending them; and the way was prepared for their being received into his service, and incorporated with the rest of his army as friends and brothers.
[Sidenote: His position at Alexandria.] [Sidenote: Caesar's interference in Egyptian affairs.] Caesar soon found himself in so strong a position at Alexandria, that he determined to exercise his authority as Roman consul to settle the dispute in respect to the succession of the Egyptian crown.