Salome in the Middle Ages

The chilling biblical story of Herodias’ young daughter (known elsewhere by the name of Salome) and her role in the execution of John the Baptist has fascinated interpreters down the ages. This article explores medieval exegetical traditions with regard to the girl and the remarkable way her story was construed as pointing both to the horrific consequences of lust and anger and to the meta-narrative of the rise of the church, figured in Salome, the hope of salvation.