Susanna

Susanna. 1 Heroine of a story told in the Book of Daniel, in a chapter (13) placed in the Apocrypha in the Authorized Version (see Daniel). Two elders attempt to seduce Susanna and are repulsed; they accuse her of illicit relations with a young man, but she is saved from punishment by young Daniel, who traps the false accusers in discrepancies in their testimony. Susanna has been a favorite subject of Christian iconography. 2 Woman who ministered to Jesus.

Figure in an apocryphal book of the Bible. The History of Susanna, set in Babylon during the Jewish exile, tells of a woman falsely accused of adultery by two elders who had earlier tried to seduce her. She is saved from death by Daniel's intervention. The tale is one of a cycle of traditions added to the book of Daniel when it was translated into Greek. The scene in which the elders spy on her at her bath was a popular subject for Renaissance artists.

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Susanna is a feminine given name. It is the name of at least two women in the Bible. It is often spelled Susannah, although Susanna is the original spelling. It is derived from Σουσάννα (Sousanna), the Greek form of the Hebrew Shoshannah, which is derived from the Persian shoshan meaning lily. The spelling Susanna is used in Sweden, Italy, Netherlands and Finland. Even though very uncommon, it is also spelt Susana in Spain.

The name may refer to:

• Susanna (Book of Daniel), a portion of the Book of Daniel and its protagonist
• Susanna (disciple), one of women associated with the ministry of Jesus of Nazarath
• Saint Susanna, see Saints Tiburtius and Susanna

See also

• Susan
• Suzanne
• Sanna