St. Pachomius Library

Holophernes

Date unknown
The commander of Nebuchadnezzar's army in the Book of Judith. He is easily fooled by Judith into supposing that she is his ally, a kind of psychic spy who will reveal when the Israelites have sinned and are therefore vulnerable to defeat. He also convinces himself that she can be seduced, and invites her to his tent. These mistakes cost the general his life and the army its victory.
Like the other characters in Judith, Holofernes is difficult or impossible to place historically. Spiritually, he represents lust, arrogance, and in general those vices directly opposite to Judith's virtues. In some patristic sources he even represents death or Satan. See the Judith page for details.
--- Norman Hugh Redington
Under construction --- far from complete! Read with caution.

HISTORICITY:
- Namesakes from Ancient History:
  - Holofernes the Commander: Cappadocian prince and general, the younger brother of King Ariarathes II. He was loaned to the Persian army for a campaign against Egypt, either in 351 or 343 BC, and was decorated by the Persian Great King Artaxerxes III Ochus for his valour [Diodorus Siculus, Hist. XXXI, xix, 2]. Ochus is one candidate for the real "Nebuchadnezzar" [St. Sulpitius Severus, Hist. Sac. II, xiv], but according to Diodorus this Holofernes died at home in peace.
  - King Holofernes of Cappadocia: A descendant of Holofernes the Commander who usurped the throne from Ariarathes V in 158 BC. This Holofernes is portrayed by Diodorus as an incompetent and tyrannical ruler who eventually looted the country's temples to pay his troops, but nothing else in his career especially suggests the Biblical Holofernes [Diodorus Siculus, Hist. XXXI, xxxii].

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