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Bernice
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Bernice

A Herodian princess, daughter of Agrippa I and sister of Agrippa II, with whom she lived — an arrangement that fed persistent gossip in Rome. She came with her brother in great pomp to Caesarea to greet the new governor Festus, and sat with him to hear Paul's defence; the pair withdrew afterwards and agreed the man had done nothing deserving death or imprisonment.

Role: Herodian princess
Lived: 1st century
Belonged to: Romans

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Life, role & deeds
BibleSister of Agrippa II, who sat with him in state to hear Paul's defence at Caesarea.
Acts 25:23
Josephus, Antiquities 19-20 and Jewish War 2; Tacitus, Histories 2.2 and 2.81; Suetonius, Divus Titus 7 (Titus and Berenice). Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersJosephus and Roman writers document her turbulent life and her later liaison with the future emperor Titus.
Josephus, Antiquities 19-20 and Jewish War 2; Tacitus, Histories 2.2 and 2.81; Suetonius, Divus Titus 7 (Titus and Berenice).

Where in scripture

Acts

Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.

Acts 25:13 — Comes with Agrippa

So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Acts 25:23

The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

Acts 26:30

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.

Acts 25:13Acts 25:23Acts 26:30

Family