The Egyptian Queen Cleopatra bets against the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, that her people are still great, even if the times of the Pharaohs has long passed. She bets (against all logic) to be able to build a new palace for Caesar within three months. Since all her architects are either busy otherwise or too conservative in style, this ambivalent honour falls to Numerobis. He is to build the palace and be covered in gold, if not, his fate is to be eaten by crocodiles. Numerobis calls upon an old friend to help him out: The fabulous Druid Panoramix (Miraculix in other language versions) from Gallia, who brews a fantastic potion that gives supernatural strength. In order to help and protect, Asterix and Obelix accompany the old Druid on his journey to Egypt. When Julius Caesar gets wind of the project succeeding, he has the building site attacked by his troops in order to win the bet and not lose his face. But he hasn't counted on Asterix and Obelix.