But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ (Mark 6: 21-24)

If Solome is remembered at all she is usually seen as a belly-dancer, almost as stripper, a co-conspirator in murder, and for those familiar with the Oscar Wilde play or Richard Strauss opera of the same name she kisses the severed head of the prophet.

But Antipas tended to be a rather proper Hellenistic ruler. In a modern context Solome's dance would be seen almost as a kind of classical ballet. In Mark's account she is so innocent that she cannot even ask for what she wants without consulting with her mother.

Many of us might benefit from considering Solome's question: "What should I ask for?" The story suggests we should exercise considerable care in who's advice we seek and for what we ask.

Both English and French versions of the Oscar Wilde play are available from the University of Virginia.