But Ptolemy, or, rather, the ministers and counselors who acted for him and in his name, had expelled Cleopatra, that they might govern alone.

Cleopatra had raised an army in Syria, and was on her way to the frontiers of Egypt to regain possession of what she deemed her rights.

Ptolemy's ministers had gone forth to meet her at the head of their own troops, 'Ptolemy himself being also with them.

They had reached Pelusium, which is the frontier town between Egypt and Syria on the coast of the Mediterranean.

Here their armies had assembled in vast encampments upon the land, and their galleys and transports were riding at anchor along the shore of the sea.