Judith Beheading Holofernes

This Jewish narrative tells the biblical story of Judith, who saved her people by seducing and beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes. It begins with the attempted siege of Bethulia, an Israelite city, by the Assyrian army, conquering their way to Jerusalem. Judith, a beautiful widow living in Bethulia, offers herself to try to avoid the surrender of her people. Accompanied by her maidservant Abra, Judith accepts an invitation from the Assyrian general Holofernes to a private banquet. His desire to lie with Judith, along with a considerable consumption of alcohol, ultimately lead to his demise. Once he has fallen into a drunken stupor, Judith takes up his sword and with Abra keeping watch outside, the Hebrew heroine beheads Holofernes, subsequently taking the severed head to her people who rejoice over her action. News of Holofernes’ death travels quickly through the Assyrian ranks, the resulting despondency and despair at the loss of their leader then sees the Assyrian army defeated at the hands of the Bethulians

Alexander the Great & his physician Philip

Of all Alexander’s exploits, historical and legendary, this is one quite frequently illustrated, as retold by Plutarch. Apparently Alexander fell sick and took to his bed. His physicians dared not treat him for fear of the consequences if they failed - it was only his close friend Philip who was not afraid to administer medicine. At the same time Alexander received a letter from his general Parmenio warning him that Philip had been bribed by Darius (Darius III, the last king of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia) to kill him. To demonstrate his trust in his friend, Alexander handed the letter to Philip just as he drank the medicinal draught. And lived on…