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cultivated visitors begging favor for his intelligence operations in Rome.
     The Romans had trampled over every one of Egypt’s neighboring countries, invading their lands, installing a fat Roman governor,
     and collecting outrageous taxes to be sent back to Rome. To avoid this unfortunate situation, Auletes depended on a network
     of spies in Rome. He apprehended what the Romans might want from his rich land and his ancient treasury, and furnished it
     immediately, before they had to send an army to demand it.
    “It is far easier to bribe a rich man than a poor one,” the king continued, tutoring his family. “The rich are of a character
     to be motivated by money. The poor never lose their bitterness and are more wont to betray. The wealthy have much to lose
     and restrain such emotion, making them more levelheaded and reliable.”
    “And what might this Roman do for us?” Thea asked with the sharp tongue of a woman who had grown confident of her stature.
    “My dear wife, are we not under threat of Roman annexation? Has Marcus Crassus not introduced a bill into the senate that
     would make Egypt a Roman territory? Do the Romans not wish to control our grain supply to feed their armies?” Auletes breathed
     deeply, weary of explaining to his young wife his propitiatory policies toward Rome. “Have the Romans not subjugated every
     neighboring country, including Syria? Our guest today is a diplomat. Need I say more?”
    “We are the descendants of Alexander,” Thea said, her face upturned, showing the king her nostrils. “Why do we not use our
     silver and our gold to raise an army to confront the Romans? Why must we always cower before Rome?”
    Kleopatra glared at her stepmother, wondering how she could think she possessed the wisdom to challenge the king.
    “You are young and naive, my dear Thea. The Romans fight because they believe it is their right to dominate the world. Paid
     mercenaries will never defeat such men. The gods, at present, are with Rome. Let us not challenge the gods, but negotiate
     successfully with those they have chosen.”
    “The blood of Alexander is sluggish in your veins, my king, while it quickens in mine,” Thea said defiantly.
    “My dear, your Greek pride could cost us the throne. Do you really believe the Romans will lay down their desire to control
     Egypt because of our illustrious heritage? We are in trouble. Before he died, our predecessor—our half-witted half brother—wrote
     a will leaving our entire nation to Rome. The Roman senate has repeatedly tried to use it as a claim on our kingdom.”
    “And the citizens pulled him out of the gymnasium and slit his throat,” Thea yelled. “So much for Roman protection! Roman
     alliance!”
    Auletes raised his hands, fingers shaking like bangles. “The people slit his throat because the corrupt thing was a menace.
     And thank the gods they did, for had they not, I would not be king, and you, my beautiful wife, would certainly not be queen.”
    “Majesty,” Meleager interrupted. “The murder
was
an act of rebellion against Rome. Whether Greek or Egyptian, the Alexandrian people have a notorious distaste for negotiation
     with Rome. The rumor that you are going to allow Rome to annex Egypt has spread to every quarter of the city, and everywhere
     there is unrest. The Greek citizens do not wish to placate Rome, nor do the Egyptians. Perhaps the queen is not entirely wrong.
     Perhaps it is time to challenge the Romans.”
    “Have you not heard the proverb, eunuch? “Whom the Romans wish to make kings they make kings. Whom they will to depose, they
     depose.’ I do not
wish
to be deposed,” Auletes said hotly. “I do not wish to be exiled to some ugly black rock in the Aegean while a greedy Roman
     governor gets rich on the treasures of my ancestors. I like my head very much. I enjoy my fat body very much. And I do not
     wish for the two to be separated. How they would miss each other!” Auletes rolled his eyes to the