ABSTRACT
Cæsar, upon his Arrival in Egypt, finds Ptolomy engag’d in a Quarrel with his Sister Cleopatra; whom, at the Instigation of Photinus, and his other evil Counsellors, he had depriv’d of her Share in the Kingdom, and imprison’d. She finds means to Escape, comes privately to Cæsar, and puts her self under his Protection. Cæsar interposes in the Quarrel, and reconciles them. They in return entertain him with great Magnificence and Luxury at the Royal Palace in Alexandria. At this Feast Caesar, who at his first Arrival had visited the Tomb of Alexander the Great, and whatever else was Curious in that City, enquires of the Chief Priest Achoreus, and is by him inform’d of the Course of the Nile, its stated Increase and Decrease, with the several Causes that had been till that time assign’d for it. In the mean time Photinus writes privately to Achillas, to draw the Army to Alexandria, and surprise Cæsar; this he immediately performs, and besieges the Palace. But Cæsar, having set the City and many of the Egyptian Ships on fire, escapes to the Island and Tower of Pharos, carrying the young King and Photinus, whom he still kept in his Power, with him; there having discover’d the Treachery of Photinus, he puts him to Death. At the same time Arsinoë, Ptolomy’s youngest Sister, having by the Advice of her Tutor, the Eunuch Ganimedes, assum’d the Regal Authority, orders Achillas to be kill’d likewise, and renews the War against Cæsar. Upon the Mole between Pharos and Alexandria, he is encompass’d by the Enemy, and very near being slain; but at length breaks thro’, leaps into the Sea, and with his usual Courage and good Fortune swims in Safety to his own Fleet.
