Holofernes
Holofernes appears in the apocryphal
Book of Judith as a general of
Nebuchadnezzar. The basic story is that Holofernes was attacking Bethulia, a
Jewish city. Bethulia was close to surrender until it was saved by Judith, a beautiful Jewish widow. Judith entered the camp of Holofernes and ingratiated herself with him. Judith then
beheaded Holofernes while he was drunk. Judith returned to Bethulia with the decapitated head, and the Jews subsequently defeated the attacking enemy.