Key Biblical and Mythological References for Literature and History

Nostradamus

A person who predicts the future.

Casanova

A man known for having many lovers.

Lolita

A young girl desired by an older man.

Wisdom of Solomon

Extremely wise judgment.

Fiddling While Rome Burns

Ignoring a serious problem while it gets worse.

Nero

A Roman emperor associated with Rome burning.

Sybaritic

Living in luxury and seeking pleasure.

Spartan

Simple, strict, and without luxury.

Uncle Tom

Being overly submissive to those in power.

Simon Legree

A cruel, abusive person.

Good Samaritan

A person who helps someone in need.

Attila the Hun

A ruthless, destructive conqueror.

Sword of Damocles

A constant danger hanging over someone.

Pyrrhic Victory

A victory that comes with such a huge cost it is almost a defeat.

Marathon

A very long or difficult task.

Thermopylae

Courageously fighting against overwhelming odds.

Faustian

Getting what you want by making a terrible bargain.

Waterloo

A final, crushing defeat.

Creation Story

The biblical story of God creating the world.

Cain and Abel

Jealousy leading to betrayal and murder.

Sodom and Gomorrah

Wickedness leading to destruction.

Jacob and Esau

Sibling rivalry involving deception and jealousy.

Pontius Pilate

Avoiding responsibility for a decision.

I Wash My Hands

Refusing to accept responsibility.

Moses and the Exodus

Leading people from slavery to freedom.

Aaron's Staff

A symbol of God's power.

Garden of Eden

A perfect paradise that is lost through disobedience.

The Expulsion

Being forced out of paradise as punishment.

Angel of Death

Death brought as punishment in Egypt.

Parting of the Red Sea

A miraculous escape from danger.

Seven Deadly Sins

Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.

Psalm 23

God as a shepherd who guides and protects.