Salomea

Salomea was a prominent figure in the history of ancient Judea, known primarily for her role in the New Testament of the Bible. She is the daughter of Herodias and the half-sister of John the Baptist. Her name is derived from the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning peace, and "leah," meaning God has given.

Salomea is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew (14:6-11) and the Gospel of Mark (6:14-29) as one of the daughters of Herodias, who was married to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. The story involves her dancing for Herod and his guests, which so pleased Herod that he promised to give her whatever she asked for, up to half his kingdom. Salomea, influenced by her mother, asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

This request led to John the Baptist's beheading, as related in the Gospels. The event is often interpreted as a symbol of the conflict between John the Baptist's message of repentance and the political and religious establishment of the time. The story of Salomea and John the Baptist has been the subject of much artistic and literary interpretation, reflecting the enduring fascination with the dynamics of power, desire, and religious conviction in ancient history.