A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Judith (of Judea)
JUDITH, a Widow of Bethulia, in Judea, of the Tribe of Simeon.
When this city was reduced to the utmost extremity by Holofernes, Judith was struck with the idea that she perhaps might save her country. She was a woman of majestic beauty, and dressing herself with great splendour, repaired to the camp of the general, who was smitten with her charms, and received her with joy. The same day he invited her to supper with him, and during the repast became drunk with wine, in which situation his attendants placed him on the bed, and left him. Judith no sooner saw the coast clear, than she took his sword, cut off his head, and carried it off in a bag to Bethulia, where she was received with applause and gratitude. In the morning the Assyrians found the dead body of Holofernes, and took to flight.