Berenice (daughter of Herod Agrippa)

Berenice (also spelled Bernice; Greek: Βερενίκη, Bereníkē; AD 28 – after 81) was a Jewish woman of the Herodian dynasty. She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I and Cypros, and a sister of Herod Agrippa II and Drusilla.

Berenice lived a life marked by political significance and personal upheaval. She was initially married to Marcus Julius Alexander, her uncle, who died shortly after. Subsequently, she married Herod of Chalcis, also her uncle, with whom she had two sons. After his death, she lived with her brother, Herod Agrippa II, amidst rumors of an incestuous relationship.

During the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 AD), Berenice initially supported the Jewish cause, attempting to mediate between the rebels and the Roman authorities. However, as the conflict escalated, she shifted her allegiance to the Romans.

In 67 AD, Berenice met Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian, who was leading the Roman forces in Judea. They became lovers, and after the war's conclusion in 70 AD, she accompanied him to Rome. Their relationship was politically fraught, and despite Titus' apparent affection for her, he was ultimately compelled to dismiss her from Rome before becoming emperor in 79 AD due to popular discontent and the perception that a foreign queen was unsuitable for the future Roman emperor.

Berenice's life is documented in historical sources, including the writings of Josephus. She is also a figure in literature and drama, often portrayed as a powerful and ambitious woman whose relationship with Titus had significant historical and political implications. While her marriage to Titus never materialized, their affair remains a subject of historical and romantic speculation. Her influence and presence during a pivotal period in Roman-Jewish relations make her a notable figure in history.