[-36-] By this action they were calmed temporarily, but not long after they raised a rebellion which reached the dignity of war.  Potheinos, a eunuch who had taken a prominent part in urging the Egyptians on, who was also charged with the management of Ptolemy’s funds, was afraid that he might some time pay the penalty for his behavior.  Therefore he sent secretly to Achillas who was at this time still near Pelusium and by frightening him and inspiring him at the same time with hopes he made him his associate, and next won over also all the rest who bore arms.  To all of them alike it seemed a shame to be ruled by a woman:  for they suspected that Caesar on the occasion mentioned had given the kingdom to both of the children merely to quiet the people, and that in the course of time he would offer it to Cleopatra alone.  Also they thought themselves a match for the army he then had present.  Some started immediately for Alexandria where they busied themselves with their project. [-37-] Caesar when he learned this was afraid of their numbers and daring, and sent some men to Achillas not in his own but in Ptolemy’s name, bidding him keep the peace.  But he, understanding that this was not the child’s command, but Caesar’s, so far from giving it any attention was filled with contempt for the sender, believing him afraid.  Then he called his soldiers together and by haranguing them at length in favor of Ptolemy and against Caesar and Cleopatra he finally so incensed them against the messengers, though they were Egyptians, that they defiled themselves with their murder and accepted the necessity of a war without quarter.  Caesar, when the news was brought him, summoned his soldiers from Syria, put a ditch around the palace and the other buildings near it, and fortified it with a wall reaching to the sea. [38-] Meanwhile Achillas had arrived on the scene with his regular followers and with the Romans left behind by Grabinius and Septimius to keep guard over Ptolemy:  these as a result of their stay there had changed their character and were attached to the local party.  Thus he immediately won over the larger part of the Alexandrians and made himself master of the most advantageous positions.  After this many battles between the two armies occurred both by day and at night and many places were set on fire, and among others the docks and the storehouses both of grain and of books were burned,—­the volumes being, as is reported, of the greatest number and excellence.

Achillas commanded the mainland, with the exception of what Caesar had walled off, and the latter the sea—­except the harbor.  Caesar, indeed, was victorious in a sea-fight, and when the Egyptians consequently, fearing that he would sail into their harbor, had filled up the entrance all except a narrow passage, he cut off that outlet also by sinking freight ships full of stones; so they were unable to stir, no matter how much they might desire to sail out.  After this achievement provisions, and among other things water, were brought in more easily.  Achillas had deprived them of the city water supply by cutting the pipes.