Berenike II was a ruling queen of Cyrene by birth, and a queen and co-regent of Egypt by marriage to her cousin Ptolemy III Euergetes, the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt.
In approximately 249 BC, her father died, making Berenice ruling queen of Cyrene. Soon after her father died, Berenice was married to Demetrius the Fair, a Macedonian prince.
After Demetrius came to Cyrene, he became the lover of her mother, Apama. In a dramatic event, Bernice had him killed in Apama's bedroom. Berenice stood at the door and instructed the hired assassins not to hurt her mother while she attempted to protect Demetrius.
After the death of Demetrius, Berenice married Ptolemy III. 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.
In approximately 249 BC, her father died, making Berenice ruling queen of Cyrene. Soon after her father died, Berenice was married to Demetrius the Fair, a Macedonian prince.
After Demetrius came to Cyrene, he became the lover of her mother, Apama. In a dramatic event, Bernice had him killed in Apama's bedroom. Berenice stood at the door and instructed the hired assassins not to hurt her mother while she attempted to protect Demetrius.
After the death of Demetrius, Berenice married Ptolemy III. 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.
(1)
Berenike II
An
AE
Tetrachalkon
struck 46-221 BC
in
Akko-Ptolemais
Obverse: BEΡENIKHΣ BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ or abbreviated, head of Berenike II right, hair in a bun.
Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed.
Diameter:
20.87 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 8.78 g
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 8.78 g
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.
Svoronos 1055; BMC 17; Sear Greece 7821; Paris 351.
(2)
Berenike II
Obverse: Diademed and veiled female bust (of Berenike II?) to right
Reverse: PO Prow of galley to right; above, rose. R
Diameter:
15 mm
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 2.19 g
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 2.19 g
Ashton connects this issue showing a female bust on the obverse with the disaster relief sent by Ptolemy III to Rhodes after the devastating earthquake of circa 226 BC. According to Strabo, the earthquake toppled the Colossus of Rhodes, but an oracle from Delphi told the Rhodians not to rebuild it as its construction had offended Helios. Ptolemy's offer to pay for the reconstruction of the magnificent statue was hence turned down, and his aid was used to rebuild the city instead.
R. Ashton: Rhodian Bronze Coinage and the Earthquake of 229-229 BC, in: NC 1986, Group 1. BMC 228. SNG Kayhan 1706