Cover of Herodias

Herodias

by Gustave Flaubert

First published
1900
Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"Herodias" by Gustave Flaubert is a short story published in 1877 as part of Three Tales. Set in ancient Judea, the story retells the biblical account of John the Baptist's execution. During a lavish birthday celebration for Herod Antipas, his wife Herodias orchestrates a cunning plan involving her daughter Salomé to secure the prophet's beheading. As John has repeatedly insulted the royal family, the plot unfolds with calculated precision before an anxious crowd, ending as the Baptist's disciples await the coming Messiah.

  • Salome (Biblical figure)
  • Herodias

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #1291. Herodias on Wikipedia.

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