caesar's request for partial repayment of the 17.5 million drachmas owed to rome (to pay for immediate military expenditures) was met with a response by potheinos. he replied that it would be made later if caesar would leave alexandria, but this offer was rejected. ptolemy xiii arrived at alexandria at the head of his army, in clear defiance of caesar's demand that he disband and leave his army before his arrival. cleopatra initially sent emissaries to caesar, but upon allegedly hearing that caesar was inclined to having affairs with royal women, she came to alexandria to see him personally. historian cassius dio records that she simply did so without informing her brother, dressing in an attractive manner and charming caesar with her wit and linguistic skills. plutarch provides an entirely different and perhaps mythical account that alleges she was bound inside a bed sack to be smuggled into the palace to meet caesar.