Religion: ‘Salome with the Head of John the Baptist’—from a 1524 oil painting by Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen.

The tale of Salome comes from the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

During the reign of Herod Antipas (4 BCE–49 CE)—the seventh son of Herod the Great, King of Judea—John the Baptist had been arrested and imprisoned for denouncing the king’s marriage to his sister-in-law, Herodias because both were divorcees. John’s life was spared due to his popularity in Judea.

However, at a royal banquet, Herodias’ daughter Salome performed an exotic sensual dance that so entranced Herod that he offered her anything from his kingdom that she wanted. She asked for the head of John the Baptist.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History