Salome
Salome, the daughter
of Herodias and Herod Philip, exploits her uncle’s weakness to have
John
the Baptist executed. (Matthew 14:3-11; Mark 6:17-28; Luke 3:19-20).
John the Baptist was imprisoned
for censuring the incestuous marriage between Herod Antipas and Herodias,
the wife of his brother. Herod would have liked to put John the Baptist
to death, but he was afraid of the people, in whose eyes John was a prophet.
At Herod's birthday party Salome
danced before the guests, and Herod was so delighted that gave an oath
to fulfill any of her wishes. Prompted by her mother, Salome asked for
the head of St. John the Baptist be presented to her on a dish. At this
the king was distressed, but because of his oath he ordered the request
to be granted, and had John beheaded in prison. The head was brought on
a dish and given to the girl; and she carried it to her mother.
See:
Giovanni Bellini. Head
of St. John the Baptist.
Caravaggio The
Beheading of St. John the Baptist,Salome
with the Head of St. John the Baptist.
Alexander Ivanov Head
of John the Baptist.
Fra Filippo Lippi The
Feast of Herod: Salome's Dance, The
Adoration, with the Infant Baptist and St. Bernard.
Masaccio The
Beheading of St. John the Baptist.
Masolino Herod's
Banquet.
Titian St.
John the Baptist,
Salome.
Rogier van der Weyden Beheading
of St. John the Baptist.
