Herodias facts for kids
For Herodias as a medieval goddess of witchcraft, see Aradia. For the Jules Massenet opera, see Hérodiade. For the asteroid, see 546 Herodias.
Quick facts for kids Herodias |
|
|---|---|
Herodias, by Paul Delaroche
|
|
| Spouse | Herod II Herod Antipas |
| Issue | Salome |
| Dynasty | Herodian dynasty |
| Father | Aristobulus IV |
| Mother | Berenice |
Herodias (Greek: Ἡρῳδιάς, Hērǭdiás; c. 15 BC – after AD 39) was a princess from the Herodian dynasty. This was a powerful family in Judaea during the time of the Roman Empire. She is often mentioned in Christian writings because of her connection to the death of John the Baptist.
Contents
Her Family and Relatives
Herodias was the daughter of Aristobulus IV and his wife Berenice. She had several siblings:
- Herod V, who became king of Chalkis.
- Herod Agrippa, who became king of Judea.
- Aristobulus Minor.
- Mariamne III.
Her Marriages
Herodias was married twice. Both of her husbands were part of the Herodian family.
Marriage to Herod II
.jpg)
Herodias first married her half-uncle, Herod II. He was a son of Herod the Great. This marriage happened after Herod the Great had his sons Alexander and Aristobulus IV executed in 7 BC.
Herodias and Herod II had one daughter named Salome. It is not clear exactly when Herodias and Herod II divorced.
Marriage to Herod Antipas
Herodias' second husband was Herod Antipas. He was the half-brother of her first husband, Herod II. Herod Antipas is well-known for his role in the events that led to the deaths of John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth.
Antipas divorced his first wife, Phasaelis, to marry Herodias. This decision caused problems. According to the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, John the Baptist publicly criticized this marriage.
This divorce also angered Phasaelis' father, King Aretas IV of Nabatea. Aretas sent an army to fight Antipas. Antipas' army lost this battle.
Later, in 39 AD, Herod Antipas was accused of plotting against the Roman emperor Caligula. Caligula sent Antipas into exile in Gaul. Herodias went with him. He died there at an unknown time. It is not certain if Herodias had any children with Herod Antipas.
Herodias in the Gospels
In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Herodias plays a big part in the death of John the Baptist. The story says that Herodias used her daughter, Salome, to get what she wanted. Salome danced for Antipas and his guests. Antipas was pleased and offered Salome anything she wished. At her mother's urging, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist.
According to the Gospel of Mark, Antipas did not want to harm John the Baptist. He liked listening to John preach. Antipas may have also worried that John's followers would cause trouble if he was killed. The Gospel of Luke tells a simpler version of the story, leaving out some of these details about Antipas' feelings.
Herodias in Later Stories
In the Middle Ages, some people in Europe believed Herodias was a supernatural leader of witches. She was sometimes linked to figures like Diana and Holda.
Herodias, often with her daughter Salome, became a popular subject in art and stories. These works often explored the idea of the "Power of Women."
Stories and Plays
- Hérodias, a story by Gustave Flaubert, published in 1877.
- Salomé, a play by Oscar Wilde, written in French in 1894.
Music
- Hérodiade, an opera by Jules Massenet, based on Flaubert's story.
- Salome, an opera by Richard Strauss, based on Oscar Wilde's play.
- In Parsifal, an opera by Richard Wagner, a character named Kundry is revealed to be Herodias. The story says she laughed at Christ during his crucifixion and was cursed to live forever.
Other Art Forms
- Hérodiade, a ballet by Paul Hindemith.
- Hérodiade, an oil painting by Aimé Morot.
Herodias in Film
Herodias has been portrayed in several movies:
- In the 1953 American film Salome (1953 film), she was played by Judith Anderson.
- In the American film The Greatest Story Ever Told, she was played by Marian Seldes.
- In the miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (miniseries), she was played by Valentina Cortese.
See also
In Spanish: Herodías para niños
- List of biblical figures identified in extra-biblical sources
