Cesare meets Tolomeo, who offers him a room in the royal apartments, though Cesare tells Curio that he expects Tolomeo to betray him. Cleopatra now believes that as she has turned Cesare, Cornelia and Sesto against Tolomeo successfully, the scales are tipped in her favour. Cesare, Cornelia and Sesto go to the Egyptian palace to meet Tolomeo. Cornelia prepares to kill Tolomeo to avenge Pompeo’s death, but is stopped by Sesto, who promises to do it instead. Meanwhile, Cornelia continues to mourn the loss of her husband. Nireno notes that the seduction was successful. Cleopatra (in disguise) goes to meet Cesare in his camp hoping that he will support her as the queen of Egypt. Tolomeo swears to kill Cesare to protect his rule of the kingdom. (Aria: Non disperar, chi sà?) Achilla brings the news to Tolomeo that Cesare was furious over the murder of Pompeo. Cleopatra decides to use her charm to seduce Cesare. Sesto, son of Cornelia and Pompeo, swears to take revenge for his father’s death. Cornelia rejects the offer in grief, saying that another death would not relieve her pain. Cesare’s assistant, Curio, offers to avenge Cornelia, hoping that she will fall for him and marry him. Cornelia faints, and Cesare is furious about Tolomeo’s cruelty. It is a token of support from Tolomeo, the co-ruler of Egypt (together with Cleopatra, his sister). Achilla, the leader of the Egyptian army, presents Cesare with a casket containing Pompeo’s head. Cesare agrees, but on the condition that Pompeo must see him in person. Pompeo’s second wife, Cornelia, begs for mercy for her husband’s life. Giulio Cesare and his victorious troops arrive on the banks of the River Nile after defeating Pompeo’s forces. After the overture, the entire cast, except Giulio Cesare, gathers on stage for the opening chorus.

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