Ancient World Seminar:Caroline Vander Stichele (Tilburg University) 'Playing her Part: Herodias in the Gospels and Josephus'

Abstract

Herodias is probably better known to a modern audience for her role as the mother of Salome in Oscar Wilde’s play or Richard Strauss’s opera than for her representation in the earliest historical sources. The earliest accounts we have come from the Gospels and Josephus, where Herodias appears only as a minor character, largely defined by her relationships with more prominent male figures such as John the Baptist and Herod Antipas. These sources, however, serve different agendas: the Gospels prioritize the figure of Jesus and his teachings, while Josephus only briefly mentions John the Baptist and Jesus, situating them in a different socio-political framework. Consequently, Herodias is shaped by distinct narrative strategies in these texts. This talk will explore how these differences influence her portrayal and the role she plays within these historical narratives.

About the Speaker

Professor Caroline Vander Stichele is a scholar of religious studies at Tilburg University, specializing in Early Christian literature, gender in religious discourse, and the reception of biblical narratives in visual culture. She previously held academic positions at Utrecht University, Tilburg University, and the University of Amsterdam. Her research examines figures such as Herodias and Salome, as well as broader gender dynamics in ancient texts, and she is co-author of Contextualizing Gender in Early Christian Discourse and Mapping Gender in Ancient Religious Discourses. Expanding her interests into Yoga Studies, she earned an M.Sc. in Contemporary Asian Studies and co-edited a forthcoming volume on contemporary yoga and sacred texts. Her interdisciplinary work continues to shape discussions on the intersections of religion, gender, and cultural representation.