The Bible has had immeasurable influence on Western culture. It is a series of stories about people and their all-too-human successes, failures and conflicts. It is surprising that the patriarchal culture of biblical times depicts so many stories about women, and they are portrayed in every aspect and station in life. The Bible describes queens and commoners, heroines and harlots, loving wives and scheming plotters, those who followed their faith and those who denied it. The first three sessions of this course will concern a selection of women from the Old Testament. Some are well known: Naomi, Ruth, Ester, Sarah and Delilah. Others such as Deborah and Tamarind are less familiar but still important in the biblical epic. The final session will discuss the leading women of the New Testament and include Mary (Jesus’ mother) Mary Magdalene, Elizabeth, Martha, Herodias and Salome.