Berenike II was the daughter of Magas (king of Cyrene) and Arsinoe/Apama, born in c. 267/6. Berenike II first married or was engaged to Demetrius the Fair (son of Demetrius Poliorcetes and Ptolemais) in c249, as his second marriage, which terminated shortly thereafter by his murder when he was caught in flagrante delictu with her mother Arsinoe/Apama. By him she had no children. Berenike II second marriage was with Ptolemy III (king of Egypt), probably in early 246, by whom she had Ptolemy IV, Magas, Arsinoe III and Berenike, and is presumed to have had an unknown son. Berenike is said to have participated in the Nemean Games and won (between 245 and 241 BC) and to have competed in Olympic games at some unknown date. Soon after her second husband's death in 221 BC, she was murdered at the instigation of her son, Ptolemy IV, with whom she probably was associated in the government.

Ashton links this and several related coinage issues to the period immediately after the great earthquake that struck Rhodes circa 229-226 BC.

The city and port were devastated, and the great bronze Colossus beside the harbor was demolished. Greek states all over the eastern Mediterranean shipped in relief supplies, with Ptolemy III of Egypt being particularly generous. The Zeus head may reflect an Egyptian connection - the Rhodians honoring their benefactors.