Holofernes

Holofernes is a character in the biblical book of Judith, and is often depicted as a historical figure in ancient texts. He is described as the commander of the Assyrian army, and is portrayed as a brutal and power-hungry leader who seeks to conquer and destroy Judith's city, Bethulia.

According to the biblical account, Holofemes leads a massive army to besiege Bethulia, a city in the kingdom of Judea. he is described as being confident in his military prowess and convinced of his own invincibility. However, Judith, a strong-willed and determined member of the city's community, sees through Holofernes' claims and understands his true intentions.

Despite being heavily outnumbered and out armed, Judith is able to deceive Holofernes and his officers with her beauty and cunning. She gains access to his court and eventually puts her plan into action by striking off his head while he is drunk and Defenseless. This act, undertaken with the help of her servant, Azariah, is seen as a key turning point in the story as it allows the city of Bethulia to be liberated from the Assyrian army.

The story of Judith and Holofernes is preserved in the Book of Judith, which is also known as the Additions to Esther. The book appears to have been written during the 2nd century BCE, making it one of the lesser known works in the biblical canon. The narrative's depiction of Holofernes as a ruthless oppressor, who is ultimately brought low by Judiah's cunning, has been interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle between good and evil.