Berenice (Ancient Greek: Βερενίκη, romanized: Berenikē) (c.275 BC–246 BC), also called Berenice Phernophorus ("Dowry Bearer") or Berenice Syra, was an Egyptian princess and a Seleucid queen regent. She was a Seleucid queen by marriage to Antiochus II Theos, and regent during the minority of her son Antiochus in 246.
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Life
Berenice was the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Arsinoe I of Egypt. She was named after her paternal grandmother, Berenice I of Egypt. The date of her birth is unknown, but most estimates are before 280, as her mother was exiled the following year.
Berenice Syra's relationship with her father remained positive after her mother's exile. When she moved upon her marriage, he provided her with bottled water from the Nile, so she would never have to drink from any other source.
Queen
Around 252 BC, following the peace agreement of 253 BC between Antiochus and Ptolemy to end the Second Syrian War, Berenice married the Seleucid monarch Antiochus II Theos, who divorced his wife Laodice I and transferred the succession to Berenice's children. Upon their marriage, she took the name "Syra," referencing Syria. Berenice was fairly old for a Ptolemaic princess to marry. Her dowry was so large, she was known as Phernephorus, or the Dowerbringer.