What interests, then, had she still remaining upon which a threat could take hold?
Octavius, in looking for some avenue by which he could reach her, reflected that she was a mother.

Caesarion, the son of Julius Caesar, and Alexander, Cleopatra, and Ptolemy, Antony's children, were still alive.
Octavius imagined that in the secret recesses of her wrecked and ruined soul there might be some lingering principle of maternal affection remaining which he could goad into life and action.

He accordingly sent word to her that, if she did not yield to the physician and take her food, he would kill every one of her children.
The threat produced its effect.

The crazed and frantic patient became calm.

She received her food.