A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

2. Daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, became the wife of Antiochus Theos, king of Syria, according to the terms of the treaty between him and Ptolemy, B. C. 249, which required him to divorce Laodice and marry the Egyptian princess, establishing also the issue of the latter as his successors. On the death, however, of Ptolemy, B. C. 247, Antiochus put Berenice away and recalled Laodice, who notwithstanding, having no faith in his constancy, caused him to be poisoned. Berenice fled in alarm to Daphne with her son, where being besieged they fell into the hands of Laodice's partizans, and were murdered with all their Egyptian attendants, the forces of the Asiatic cities and of Ptolemy Euergetes (brother of Berenice) arriving only in time to avenge them. These events are prophetically referred to by Daniel in the clearest manner. (Polyb. Fragm. Hist. 54, 5.58, ad fin.; Athen. 2.45c.; Just. 27.1; Polyaen. 8.50; Appian, App. Syr. 65, p. 130; Dan. 11.6, and Hieron. ad loc.)