Jewish History (2012) 26: 5-15 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012 DOI: 10.1007/s 10835-012-9154-6 Salome in the Middle Ages WILLIAM CHESTER JORDAN Princeton University, Princeton, USA E-mail: wchester@princeton.edu Abstract The chilling biblical story of Herodias' young daughter (known elsewhere by name of Salome) and her role in the execution of John the Baptist has fascinated interpre down the ages. This article explores medieval exegetical traditions with regard to the girl the remarkable way her story was construed as pointing both to the horrific consequence lust and anger and to the meta-narrative of the rise of the church, figured in Salome, the ho of salvation. The Gospel of Mark (6:17-29) and the Gospel of Matthew (14:3-12) re the story of the beheading of John the Baptist. The narratives differ slightly in the number and sorts of details they provide, but not in very significa ways. Like medieval Christian exegetes who harmonized the Gospels, I h blended the two accounts in the following paraphrase for the purpose of article. Herod the tetrarch ordered the arrest of John the Baptist and had him imprisoned in chains. Herod's reason for doing so was the furious complaint of his wife, Herodias, at John's public con demnation of their marriage. Herodias was the former wife of Philip, Herod's brother, whom she left to marry the tetrarch. John railed against Herod, "It is against the law for you to marry your brother's wife." At first Herod wanted to kill John, but he hesi tated because of John's popularity and the widespread belief that the Baptist was a prophet. Later Herod came to hold John in awe. He did not understand all the Baptist's prophetic utterances, but he enjoyed listening to him and came to regard him as a good and upright man. Indeed, he protected him, letting him live despite his wife's loathing and her continuing desire to have him killed. An opportunity arose for her to fulfill her desire at Herod's birth day banquet which his courtiers, military commanders, and vari ous elite male members of society attended. Herodias's daughter by her former husband danced before the assembled company, and so delighted Herod that he swore to give her anything she wanted, even half his realm. After talking to her mother, the girl asked for John the Baptist's head on a dish. Herod's distress was palpable,