Berenice III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berenice III |
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| Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt | |
| Reign | with Ptolemy X Alexander I (first reign) with Ptolemy IX Soter (second reign) with Ptolemy XI Alexander II |
| Born | 115/114 BC |
| Died | April 80 BC (aged 34–35) Alexandria, Egypt |
| Spouse | Ptolemy X Ptolemy XI Alexander II |
| Issue | Cleopatra V of Egypt |
| Dynasty | Ptolemaic |
| Father | Ptolemy IX Soter |
| Mother | Cleopatra Selene |
Berenice III (Greek: Βερενίκη; 120–80 BC) was also known as Cleopatra. She ruled Ptolemaic Egypt from 101 to 80 BC. Modern experts sometimes call her Cleopatra Berenice. She was a co-ruler of Egypt from 101–88 BC and again in 81 BC. After that, she ruled Egypt by herself from 81 to 80 BC.
Before this, she was a queen alongside her uncle and husband, Ptolemy X Alexander I. This was from 101 to 88 BC.
Contents
Her Early Life
The rulers of this time, like Berenice and Ptolemy, had both Greek and Egyptian backgrounds. This mix of cultures was important during their rule. Berenice's father was Ptolemy IX Soter. He became king of Egypt in 116 BC. His mother, Cleopatra III, was a powerful co-ruler with him.
Ptolemy IX first married his sister, Cleopatra IV. But his mother made him divorce her. He then married another sister, Cleopatra Selene of Syria, in 115 BC. It is most likely that Cleopatra Selene was Berenice's mother. This made Berenice's right to rule clear. She was probably born in late 115 or early 114 BC.
Later, Ptolemy IX and his mother Cleopatra III had disagreements. In 107 BC, Cleopatra III turned the people of Alexandria against Ptolemy IX. He had to leave Egypt and go to Cyprus. He left Berenice and her brothers behind. Cleopatra III then put Ptolemy IX's younger brother, Ptolemy X Alexander, on the throne. He was easier for her to control.
Ptolemy X married Berenice's likely mother, Cleopatra Selene. This made him Berenice's stepfather when she was about seven years old. They might have had a son together, who would become Ptolemy XI. But around 103 BC, Cleopatra III forced them to divorce. Cleopatra Selene then married Antiochus VIII, a king from the Seleucid Empire.
Ruling with Ptolemy X
In 101 BC, Ptolemy X arranged for Cleopatra III to be killed. Soon after, he married Berenice, who was only thirteen years old. He made her his co-ruler. They were honored together as the Theoi Philadelphoi, which means "Sibling-loving Gods." This was part of the royal family's special religious worship.
In 91 BC, a rebellion started in Upper Egypt. This was one of many local uprisings in that area. The rebels took control of Thebes and had support from local priests. Because of this rebellion, the Ptolemies lost control of the Lower Nubia region. The kingdom of Meroë took over that area.
Around May 88 BC, the people of Alexandria and the army turned against Ptolemy X. They forced him to leave Egypt. The Alexandrians then asked Ptolemy IX to come back and rule again. He did. Berenice went into exile with her husband, Ptolemy X. They tried to gather a navy to take back the kingdom, but they lost a battle. Ptolemy X then gathered another army and invaded Cyprus, where he was killed.
Berenice returned to Egypt sometime after Ptolemy X died, but the exact date is not known.
Ruling Alone and Her End
On August 5, 81 BC, Ptolemy IX made his daughter Berenice III his co-ruler. She had been the wife and co-ruler of Ptolemy X before. Some stories say Ptolemy IX made her co-ruler earlier, but records show he ruled alone until this time. Ptolemy IX died soon after, probably in December of that year. This left Berenice to rule Egypt by herself. At this point, she was called the Thea Philopator, meaning "Father-loving God." This showed that she inherited her power from her father.
After ruling alone for a few months, Berenice called her younger half-brother, Ptolemy XI, from Rome. He was also her former step-son. He was to serve as her co-ruler. A powerful Roman leader named Sulla wanted Ptolemy XI to rule. He hoped Ptolemy XI would be a friendly ruler who would follow Rome's wishes.
Ptolemy XI became king on April 3, 80 BC. Just a few days later, he killed Berenice. The people of Alexandria were very angry about Berenice's death. They rioted on April 22, 80 BC. Ptolemy XI was killed during the riot. The throne then went to Ptolemy XII Auletes. He was an illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX and Berenice's half-brother.
Her Legacy
Berenice is the main character in an opera called Berenice. It was written by the famous composer Handel.
Images for kids
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Basalt bust of Ptolemy X Alexander.
See also
In Spanish: Berenice III para niños
