Berenice Syra
Berenice () (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. Life
She 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 must have been before 280, as her mother was exiled the next year. Berenice Syra's relationship with her father remained positive. 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, in a particular display of personal concern. Queen
Around 252 BC, following the peace agreement of 253 BC between Antiochus and Ptolemy to end the Second Syrian War, she 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. At the time of her marriage, Berenice was fairly old for a Ptolemaic princess, and her dowery was so large, she was known as  Phernephorus, or the Dowerbringer. Antiochus II took up again with his first wife, Laodice. Ptolemy II pressured Antiochus II to return to Berenice, but he repeatedly delayed this. In 246 BC, when Ptolemy died, Ptolemy III increased the diplomatic pressure his father had begun. Antiochus died shortly thereafter, many suspect from poisoning, possibly by Laodice. Regent
Queen Berenice claimed the regency for her infant son Antiochus III. Laodice imprisoned Berenice and kidnapped and murdered Antiochus III, placing her own son on the throne. In a public confrontation with Antioch's chief magistrate, possibly about her son having been replaced with a look-alike, she struck and killed him. Berenice then pled with the assembled crowd for her son's life (not aware of his fate), gaining her sympathy from throughout the Seleucid cities. This sympathy marked her as a stronger foe, and led to her execution by Laodice. Ptolemy III raised an army and rushed to Antioch in an attempt to save his sister, but arrived too late. Berenice's female attendants conspired, eventually along with her brother, to publish falsified letters proving that Berenice was alive so that Ptolemy III could seize Berenice's dowry. Ptolemy III set about to avenge his sister's murder by invading Syria and having Laodice killed. Legacy 
Her story may be referenced in the Book of Daniel . Notes

References
"Women in power 500 - C.E. 1", accessed 20 March 2006

Ancient murder victims
Ptolemaic princesses
Seleucid royal consorts
3rd-century BC women regents
270s BC births
246 BC deaths