The story of Judith comes from the Book of Judith in the Old Testament (included in the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canon, but considered apocryphal in many Protestant traditions). She is described as a wealthy, devout widow living in the city of Bethulia during an Assyrian siege. According to the text, the Assyrian army was led by General Holofernes, who had been sent by King Nebuchadnezzar to subdue the surrounding nations, including the Israelites. As fear spread and surrender seemed inevi