 The opera "Salome" by Richard Strauss was highly controversial when first composed due to its combination of biblical theme, eroticism and murder.The story of her dance before Herod with the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter led medieval Christian artists to depict her as the personification of the lascivious woman, a temptress who lures men away from salvation.Strauss' opera is based upon Oscar Wilde's play "Salome" which depicts her in the role of femme fatale.