Berenice III (Greek: Βερενίκη; 120–80 BC), also known as Cleopatra,[2] ruled between 101 and 80 BC. Modern scholars studying Berenice III refer to her sometimes as Cleopatra Berenice. She was queen consort of Ptolemaic Egypt, or possibly queen regnant, with her uncle/husband Ptolemy X Alexander I, from 101 to 88 BC[1] and again in 81 BC, before reigning as sole monarch of Egypt from 81 to 80 BC.
The Ptolemy and Berenice of the era were both Greek and Egyptian. Their heritage became a very prominent symbol in their reign taking from both of their parent cultures and intertwining it into their rule.[3] Berenice's father was Ptolemy IX Soter, who became king of Egypt in 116 BC, with his mother Cleopatra III as his co-regent and the dominant force in government. He was initially married to his sister Cleopatra IV, but his mother forced him to divorce her and marry another sister, Cleopatra Selene, probably in early 115 BC. It is not certain which of these wives was Berenice's mother. Cleopatra IV has been favored by some modern scholarship.[4]
Historian Christopher Bennett notes that Berenice III's legitimacy was never questioned by ancient historians, unlike her brothers, Ptolemy XII and Ptolemy of Cyprus, and that Ptolemy IX's marriage to Cleopatra IV seems to have been considered illegitimate—making it more probable that Berenice III was the result of the legitimate marriage to Cleopatra Selene. In this case, she was probably born in late 115 or early 114 BC.[1][5]
Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra III eventually came into conflict with one another. In 107 BC, Cleopatra whipped up the Alexandrian mob against Ptolemy IX, causing him to flee to Cyprus, abandoning Berenice and her brothers in Alexandria in the process. Cleopatra then installed Ptolemy IX's younger brother Ptolemy X Alexander on the throne, as a more pliant co-regent.[6][7]
Ptolemy X married Berenice's probable mother Cleopatra Selene and thus became step-father to the seven-year-old Berenice. They probably had a son together, the future Ptolemy XI, but around 103 BC Cleopatra III forced them to divorce so that Cleopatra Selene could be married to the Seleucid king Antiochus VIII.[8]
Co-regency with Ptolemy X (101–88 BC)Edit
In 101 BC, Ptolemy X had Cleopatra III murdered. Shortly after that, he married the thirteen-year-old Berenice and elevated her to the role of co-regent. The pair were joined together in the dynastic cult as the Theoi Philadelphoi (Sibling-loving Gods).[1][9]
In 91 BC, a rebellion broke out in Upper Egypt. This rebellion was the latest in a series of native Egyptian uprisings in the region, following those of Hugronaphor (205–185 BC) and Harsiesi (131–130 BC). It is unknown what the name of the rebellion's leader was or whether he claimed the title of Pharaoh, as earlier rebel leaders had. The rebels gained control of Thebes and were supported by the Theban priests. Their forces are also attested in Latopolis and Pathyris. The rebellion also meant that the Ptolemies lost contact with the Triacontaschoenus region (Lower Nubia). Meroe took control of the region and retained it until the Roman period.[10]
Around May 88 BC, the Alexandrians and the army turned against Ptolemy X and expelled him.[11] The Alexandrians then invited Ptolemy IX to return to Alexandria and retake the throne, which he did. Berenice accompanied her husband into exile. The pair gathered a naval force to recapture the kingdom, but were defeated in battle. Ptolemy X recruited a second force at Myra, invaded Cyprus, and was killed.[12][13][14]
Berenice returned to Egypt at some point after Ptolemy X's death and before 81 BC, but the exact date is not known.[1]
On 5 August 81 BC, Ptolemy IX promoted his daughter Berenice III, who had previously been the wife and co-regent of Ptolemy X, to the status of co-regent. Some sources claim that Ptolemy IX had made Berenice III his co-regent at the start of his second reign in 88 BC, but all documentary evidence shows that he reigned alone until this point. Ptolemy died shortly thereafter, probably in December of the same year, leaving Berenice alone on the throne. At this point she was reincorporated into the dynastic cult as the Thea Philopator (Father-loving God), a clear reference to her inheritance of power from her father.[15]
After a few months of sole rule, Berenice summoned her younger half-brother and former step-son, Ptolemy XI, from Rome to serve as co-regent. According to Appian, this co-regency was established at the behest of the Roman dictatorSulla, who hoped that Ptolemy XI would serve as a pliant client king.[16] Ptolemy XI was crowned king on 3 April 80 BC. He murdered Berenice nineteen days later.[17] Berenice's death angered the Alexandrians, and in response to her murder the people rioted on 22 April 80 BC. He was cornered in the gymnasium and killed.[1][18] The throne then passed to Ptolemy XII Auletes, who was an illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX and the half-brother of Berenice.[15]
LegacyEdit
Berenice is the subject of Berenice, an opera by Handel.
ReferencesEdit
^ abcdefgBennett, Chris. "Berenice III". Egyptian Royal Genealogy. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
^"Cleopatra Berenice III - Livius". www.livius.org. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
^Bennett, Chris (2002). "The Chronology of Berenice III". Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. 139: 143–148. JSTOR 20191430. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
^Bevan, Edwyn Robert. A history of Egypt under the Ptolemaic dynasty. Oxfordshire, England. ISBN978-1-315-77371-1. OCLC 893686286.
^Porphyry FGrH 260 F2.10-11; Cicero, De Rege Alexandro F9; AppianBellum Civile 1.102.
BibliographyEdit
Bennett, Christopher J. (1997). "Cleopatra V Tryphæna and the Genealogy of the Later Ptolemies". Ancient Society. Peeters Publishers. 28: 39–66. doi:10.2143/AS.28.0.630068. ISSN 0066-1619.
Hölbl, Günther (2001). A History of the Ptolemaic Empire. London & New York: Routledge. ISBN0415201454.
berenice, greek, Βερενίκη, also, known, cleopatra, ruled, between, modern, scholars, studying, refer, sometimes, cleopatra, berenice, queen, consort, ptolemaic, egypt, possibly, queen, regnant, with, uncle, husband, ptolemy, alexander, from, again, before, rei. Berenice III Greek Berenikh 120 80 BC also known as Cleopatra 2 ruled between 101 and 80 BC Modern scholars studying Berenice III refer to her sometimes as Cleopatra Berenice She was queen consort of Ptolemaic Egypt or possibly queen regnant with her uncle husband Ptolemy X Alexander I from 101 to 88 BC 1 and again in 81 BC before reigning as sole monarch of Egypt from 81 to 80 BC Berenice IIIPharaohQueen of the Ptolemaic KingdomReign101 88 BC with Ptolemy X 81 80 BC as sole monarch PredecessorPtolemy X Alexander ISuccessorPtolemy XI Alexander IIRoyal titularyConsortsPtolemy XPtolemy XI Alexander IIChildrenCleopatra V of EgyptFatherPtolemy IX SoterMotherCleopatra SeleneRoyal titularyBorn115 114 BC 1 DiedApril 80 BC aged 34 35 1 Alexandria EgyptDynastyPtolemaic Contents 1 Background and early life 2 Co regency with Ptolemy X 101 88 BC 3 Reign 81 80 BC 4 Legacy 5 References 6 BibliographyBackground and early life EditThe Ptolemy and Berenice of the era were both Greek and Egyptian Their heritage became a very prominent symbol in their reign taking from both of their parent cultures and intertwining it into their rule 3 Berenice s father was Ptolemy IX Soter who became king of Egypt in 116 BC with his mother Cleopatra III as his co regent and the dominant force in government He was initially married to his sister Cleopatra IV but his mother forced him to divorce her and marry another sister Cleopatra Selene probably in early 115 BC It is not certain which of these wives was Berenice s mother Cleopatra IV has been favored by some modern scholarship 4 Historian Christopher Bennett notes that Berenice III s legitimacy was never questioned by ancient historians unlike her brothers Ptolemy XII and Ptolemy of Cyprus and that Ptolemy IX s marriage to Cleopatra IV seems to have been considered illegitimate making it more probable that Berenice III was the result of the legitimate marriage to Cleopatra Selene In this case she was probably born in late 115 or early 114 BC 1 5 Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra III eventually came into conflict with one another In 107 BC Cleopatra whipped up the Alexandrian mob against Ptolemy IX causing him to flee to Cyprus abandoning Berenice and her brothers in Alexandria in the process Cleopatra then installed Ptolemy IX s younger brother Ptolemy X Alexander on the throne as a more pliant co regent 6 7 Ptolemy X married Berenice s probable mother Cleopatra Selene and thus became step father to the seven year old Berenice They probably had a son together the future Ptolemy XI but around 103 BC Cleopatra III forced them to divorce so that Cleopatra Selene could be married to the Seleucid king Antiochus VIII 8 Co regency with Ptolemy X 101 88 BC EditIn 101 BC Ptolemy X had Cleopatra III murdered Shortly after that he married the thirteen year old Berenice and elevated her to the role of co regent The pair were joined together in the dynastic cult as the Theoi Philadelphoi Sibling loving Gods 1 9 In 91 BC a rebellion broke out in Upper Egypt This rebellion was the latest in a series of native Egyptian uprisings in the region following those of Hugronaphor 205 185 BC and Harsiesi 131 130 BC It is unknown what the name of the rebellion s leader was or whether he claimed the title of Pharaoh as earlier rebel leaders had The rebels gained control of Thebes and were supported by the Theban priests Their forces are also attested in Latopolis and Pathyris The rebellion also meant that the Ptolemies lost contact with the Triacontaschoenus region Lower Nubia Meroe took control of the region and retained it until the Roman period 10 Around May 88 BC the Alexandrians and the army turned against Ptolemy X and expelled him 11 The Alexandrians then invited Ptolemy IX to return to Alexandria and retake the throne which he did Berenice accompanied her husband into exile The pair gathered a naval force to recapture the kingdom but were defeated in battle Ptolemy X recruited a second force at Myra invaded Cyprus and was killed 12 13 14 Berenice returned to Egypt at some point after Ptolemy X s death and before 81 BC but the exact date is not known 1 Reign 81 80 BC Edit nbsp Basalt bust of Ptolemy X AlexanderOn 5 August 81 BC Ptolemy IX promoted his daughter Berenice III who had previously been the wife and co regent of Ptolemy X to the status of co regent Some sources claim that Ptolemy IX had made Berenice III his co regent at the start of his second reign in 88 BC but all documentary evidence shows that he reigned alone until this point Ptolemy died shortly thereafter probably in December of the same year leaving Berenice alone on the throne At this point she was reincorporated into the dynastic cult as the Thea Philopator Father loving God a clear reference to her inheritance of power from her father 15 After a few months of sole rule Berenice summoned her younger half brother and former step son Ptolemy XI from Rome to serve as co regent According to Appian this co regency was established at the behest of the Roman dictator Sulla who hoped that Ptolemy XI would serve as a pliant client king 16 Ptolemy XI was crowned king on 3 April 80 BC He murdered Berenice nineteen days later 17 Berenice s death angered the Alexandrians and in response to her murder the people rioted on 22 April 80 BC He was cornered in the gymnasium and killed 1 18 The throne then passed to Ptolemy XII Auletes who was an illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX and the half brother of Berenice 15 Legacy EditBerenice is the subject of Berenice an opera by Handel References Edit a b c d e f g Bennett Chris Berenice III Egyptian Royal Genealogy Retrieved 16 November 2019 Cleopatra Berenice III Livius www livius org Retrieved 2020 12 01 Bennett Chris 2002 The Chronology of Berenice III Zeitschrift fur Papyrologie und Epigraphik 139 143 148 JSTOR 20191430 Retrieved October 22 2020 Llewellyn Jones Lloyd 2013 2012 Cleopatra V Berenike III In Bagnall Roger S Brodersen Kai Champion Craige B Erskine Andrew Huebner Sabine R eds The Encyclopedia of Ancient History 13 Vols Vol III Be Co Wiley Blackwell ISBN 978 1 405 17935 5 Bennett 1997 p 54 Justin historian Epitome of Pompeius Trogus 39 4 1 Pausanias 1 9 2 Holbl 2001 pp 206 207 Bennett Chris Cleopatra Selene Egyptian Royal Genealogy Retrieved 12 November 2019 Holbl 2001 pp 207 210 Pausanias 1 9 3 Porphyry FGrH 260 F2 9 Strabo Geography 17 1 8 Porphyry FGrH 260 F2 8 9 Justin Epitome of Pompeius Trogus 39 5 Pausanias Bennett Chris Ptolemy X Egyptian Royal Genealogy Retrieved 16 November 2019 Holbl 2001 p 211 a b Holbl 2001 pp 213 214 Appian Bellum Civile 1 102 Bevan Edwyn Robert A history of Egypt under the Ptolemaic dynasty Oxfordshire England ISBN 978 1 315 77371 1 OCLC 893686286 Porphyry FGrH 260 F2 10 11 Cicero De Rege Alexandro F9 Appian Bellum Civile 1 102 Bibliography EditBennett Christopher J 1997 Cleopatra V Tryphaena and the Genealogy of the Later Ptolemies Ancient Society Peeters Publishers 28 39 66 doi 10 2143 AS 28 0 630068 ISSN 0066 1619 Holbl Gunther 2001 A History of the Ptolemaic Empire London amp New York Routledge ISBN 0415201454 Berenice IIIPtolemaic dynastyBorn ca 115 114 BC Died 80 BCRegnal titlesPreceded byPtolemy X and Cleopatra III Queen of Egypt101 BC 88 BCwith Ptolemy X Succeeded byPtolemy IXPreceded byPtolemy IX Queen of Egypt81 BC 80 BCwith Ptolemy XI Succeeded byPtolemy XI Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Berenice III amp oldid 1181160798, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
