But in those days hatred of Rome surged high.

The regents, leagued with Arsinoe, spread the rumour that Cleopatra would deliver Egypt up to Pompey, if the senate would secure to her the sole sovereignty of the new province, and leave her free to rid herself of her royal brother and husband.
"She was compelled to fly, and went first to the Syrian frontier, to gain friends for her cause among the Asiatic princes.

My brother Straton--you remember the noble youth who won the prize for wrestling at Olympia, Berenike--and I were commissioned to carry the treasure to her.
We doubtless exposed ourselves to great peril, but we did so gladly, and left Alexandria with a few camels, an ox-cart, and some trusted slaves.
We were to go to Gaza, where Cleopatra was already beginning to collect an army, and had disguised ourselves as Nabataean merchants.

The languages which I had learned, in order not to be distanced by Cleopatra, were now of great service.
"Those were stirring times.

The names of Caesar and Pompey were in every mouth.