3. Ganymedes Was on Cleopatra’s Court and Lead an Army
Ganymedes was the eunuch tutor to Cleopatra VII’s young half-sister. He spent a lot of time around the royal court. He was intelligent, wealthy, and well-connected, so he raised his own army and navy. One day, Caesar and his men had sailed away. Ganymedes knew that by the time the men came back, they would have run out of fresh water on the boat. They would be desperate for supplies, and would need them quickly before they started to get sick and die in the summer heat.
When Caesar’s navy tried to return to Alexandria, they were met with Ganymedes’ navy guarding the access to the freshwater river. They threatening not to allow them access to any of the water unless Julius Caesar gave up his throne to Ganymedes. However, Julius Caesar knew that the nearby land was built on limestone, which meant that they could easily dig into the ground and make wells. So they turned around and got their fresh water without having to go anywhere near the river. After feeling fully satisfied and refreshed, Caesar returned, and they completely obliterated Ganymedes’ navy.