Salome characters

Appears from the start

The young princess of Judaea, daughter of Herodias and stepdaughter of Herod. She leaves the royal banquet for the terrace, where the imprisoned prophet's voice draws her attention. Accustomed to being obeyed, she is fascinated by what is forbidden to her.

Also known as John the Baptist

Appears from the start

A prophet held in a cistern beneath Herod's palace. His declarations condemn the ruling household, especially the marriage of Herod and Herodias. Herod fears his spiritual authority, while Herodias wants him silenced.

Appears from the start

The ruler of Judaea, husband of Herodias and stepfather of Salome. Troubled by omens and by Jokanaan's preaching, he nevertheless keeps the prophet imprisoned rather than surrendering him to his enemies. His attention toward Salome is possessive and unwelcome.

Appears from the start

Salome's mother and Herod's wife. Jokanaan publicly condemns her marriage, and she resents both his accusations and Herod's fixation on her daughter.

Also known as The Young Syrian

Appears from the start

The young captain of Herod's guard. Deeply infatuated with Salome, he watches her during the banquet and yields when she asks him to disobey Herod's order by bringing Jokanaan out of the cistern.

Appears from the start

A companion of Narraboth who notices the danger in the captain's obsessive attention to Salome. He repeatedly warns Narraboth and reads the strange appearance of the moon as an omen.