Messengers bring word of Antony’s death to Caesar, who is shocked. After learning that Antony has taken his own life, Caesar laments that they were men equal in greatness and in worthiness to rule an empire, but that fate had divided them and set them at odds. He commands his soldiers to go to Cleopatra and show her mercy and gentleness. He wants to avoid having her die by suicide as well so that she can be brought back to Rome as a symbol of his triumph.

Caesar’s messenger Proculeius comes to Cleopatra, reassuring her that Caesar will allow her son to rule Egypt and will be kind to her if she agrees to return with him to Rome. His soldiers infiltrate Cleopatra’s monument and capture Cleopatra before she can kill herself with a dagger. Cleopatra fights back, seeking to avoid being humiliated in Rome as part of Caesar’s triumphal parade.

Dolabella comes to talk with her and she tells him of a dream she had where Antony was a giant. Dolabella admits that Caesar does intend to display her in the triumph, but tells her that submitting to Caesar’s will can save her children.