h his sister,
the famous CLEOPATRA, Caesar sided with her. The inhabitants of
Alexandria revolted, and besieged Caesar in the palace; but with a
handful of soldiers he bravely baffled their attacks. Setting fire
to the neighboring buildings, he escaped to his ships. Afterwards he
returned and wreaked vengeance upon the Alexandrians, establishing
CLEOPATRA upon the throne (47).

Satisfied with this vengeance, Caesar left Egypt, and went to Pontus,
where PHARNACES, son of Mithradates, was inciting a revolt against Rome.
Caesar attacked and defeated him at ZELA (47), with a rapidity rendered
proverbial by his words, _Veni, vidi, vici_, I CAME, I SAW, I CONQUERED.

He now passed quickly down the Hellespont, and had landed in Italy
before it was known that he had left Pontus. During his absence from
the capital there had been some minor disturbances; but the mass of the
citizens were firmly attached to him. Few could distrust the genius and
fortune of the irresistible conqueror. In October of 48 he had been made
Dictator a second time, and appointed Tribune for life.

Caesar's return in September, 47, was marked by no proscription. He
insisted that all debts should be paid, and the rights of property
respected. He restored quiet, and after a brief stay of three months
prepared to transport his army to Africa. The army was in Campania,
but discontented and mutinous because of not receiving the expected
privilege of pillage and plunder. They refused to move until certain
promised rewards were received. The Tenth Legion broke out into open
revolt, and marched from Campania to Rome to obtain their rights. Caesar
collected them in the Campus Martins, and asked them to state their
grievances. They demanded their discharge. "I grant it, citizens"
(_Quirites_), said the Imperator. Heretofore he had always addressed
them as "fellow soldiers," and the implied rebuke was so keen, that a
reaction at once began, and they all begged to be received again into
his service. He accepted them, telling them that lands had been allotted
to each soldier out of the _ager publicus_, or out of his own estates.

Africa must now be subdued. Since the defeat and death of Curio, King
JUBA had found no one to dispute his authority. Around him now rallied
all the followers of Pompey, Metellus Scipio, Cato, Labienus, Afranius,
Petreius, and the slain general's two sons, Sextus and Gnaeus Pompeius.

Utica was made their head-quarters. Here Cato collecte