Berenice III

First reign (101–88 BC) Head of a statuette depicting a Ptolemaic queen as the goddess Isis, possibly Berenice III; Louvre Museum, Paris. 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).

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.

Around May 88 BC, the Alexandrians and the army turned against Ptolemy X and expelled him. 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.

Berenice returned to Egypt at some point after Ptolemy X's death and before 81 BC, but the exact date is not known.

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. Ptolemy XI was crowned king on 3 April 80 BC. He murdered Berenice nineteen days later. 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. The throne then passed to Ptolemy XII Auletes, who was an illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX and the half-brother of Berenice.

Legacy Berenice is the subject of Berenice, an opera by Handel.