And the perplexed Vespasian, though the least conceited of men, was gradually driven to adopt this opinion in view of these strange happenings. A few days afterwards, Mucianus, the Legate of Syria, arrived at Cæsarea, having come direct thither from a brief visit paid to Rome. He was accompanied by Tiberius Alexander, the prefect of Egypt. A Jew by birth, a nephew, in fact, of the brilliant theologian Philo Judæus, Tiberius Alexander had deserted his ancestral faith for Grecian paganism, a conversion unique in the annals of Judaism. Vespasian at once hastened from the camp to Cæsarea to pay his respects to Mucianus, who, besides being his lifelong friend, was also his superior in office. The two illustrious visitors had accepted the hospitality of Berenice, and it was in the palace of that intriguing princess that Vespasian and Titus met them in a consultation upon which hung the destiny of an empire. “The senate of Rome,” began Mucianus, “loathes the rule of the bestial Vitellius and his brutal soldiery. Shall I tell you what are likewise the secret whisperings of the people in the forum? ‘Would to the gods that Vespasian would deliver us from this glutton, who has already spent seven million sesterces upon his stomach!’ Vespasian, you have but to proclaim yourself Cæsar here in Judæa, and Rome--yea, and all the provinces, will rise in your favor. I have here a list, and ’tis a long one, of Roman patricians who have sworn to me that they are willing to risk their lives and fortunes in your cause.” Vespasian, having listened to all this, and much more of like import, showed his indifference to the imperial throne by offering it to Mucianus! A plain, sensible man, and a born soldier, Vespasian cared little who was Cæsar so long as he himself should hold the chief military command. But however much Mucianus may have desired the purple he knew that his chances of obtaining it were infinitely small, and he therefore continued to press its acceptance upon Vespasian. “Syria and its four legions are with you,” said he. “And I can promise you Egypt,” observed Tiberius Alexander. “As soon as you are proclaimed Cæsar I will cause the legions of Alexandria to take the oath of allegiance to you.” “And then your first act must be to stop the corn-ships from sailing,” said Berenice, who was taking part in these deliberations. “A wise policy!” commented Titus. The possession of Egypt, as the conspirators well knew, was extremely important from a political point of view, the populace of Rome being almost dependent for their existence upon the supplies of grain exported from Alexandria. Famine at the heart of the empire would not be favorable to the cause of Vitellius.