Agares (also Agarus, Agarat) is a
demon
A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in folklore, mythology, religion, occultism, and literature; these beliefs are reflected in Media (communication), media including
f ...
described in
demonological grimoire
A grimoire () (also known as a book of spells, magic book, or a spellbook) is a textbook of magic, typically including instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms, and divin ...
s.
Description
Agaras is described in grimoires such as the ''
Livre des Esperitz'' (as Agarat), the ''
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'', the ''
Lesser Key of Solomon'', and the ''
Dictionnaire Infernal'' as a
duke
Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of Royal family, royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobi ...
"under the power of the east," an "old man, riding upon a crocodile, and carrying a hawk on his fist,"
[Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (Liber officiorum spirituum); Johann Weyer, ed. Joseph Peterson; 2000]
"(2) Agares"
/ref>[Peterson's critical edition of the Lemegeton, pages 7–8 read "Old man riding upon a Crocodill, very mildly, carrying a goshawke on his fist"] who teaches languages, stops and retrieves runaway persons, causes earthquakes, and grants noble titles.
Legions and standing
'' Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis'' and the ''Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'' both list him as the second spirit, and state that he commands 31 legions of demons, while the '' Livre des Esperitz'' (which describes him simply as an old man) gives him 36.[''Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis: The Lesser Key of Solomon, Detailing the Ceremonial Art of Commanding Spirits Both Good and Evil''; ed. Joseph H. Peterson; Weiser Books, Maine; 2001. pp. 7–10]cockatrice
A cockatrice is a mythical beast, essentially a two-legged dragon, wyvern, or snake, serpent-like creature with a rooster's head. Described by Laurence Breiner as "an ornament in the drama and poetry of the Elizabethans", it was featured promine ...
, without the hawk. '' The Grimoire of Pope Honorius'' (which refers to him as Agarus) is more brief, omitting the crocodile and hawk, and omitting his functions beyond languages and titles. The ''Grand Grimoire
''The Grand Grimoire'', also known as ''Le Dragon Rouge'' or ''The Red Dragon'', is a black magic goetic grimoire. Different editions date the book to 1521, 1522 or 1421. Owen Davies suggests 1702 is when the first edition may have been creat ...
'' features him as a subordinate of Lucifuge Rofocale. According to Thomas Rudd, Agares is opposed by the Shemhamphorasch angel Jelial. Sloane MS 3824 mentions Agares throughout in invocations to summon spirits that guard treasure, and in the "Experiment of Agares," meant to draw him into a crystal.
Popular Culture
Agares possesses a young nun named Sister Adelina Marinescu (played by Ada Lupa) in the 2017 film, The Crucifixion, directed by Xavier Gens. The film is inspired by the 2005 Tanacu exorcism of Sister Maricica Irina Cornici in Romania.
Agares is portrayed under the same name as a sleepy young man in Japanese anime and manga series Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun.
Agares is also depicted in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
The ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' Trading Card Game is a collectible card game developed and published by Konami, based on the manga series '' Yu-Gi-Oh!'' created by Kazuki Takahashi. The card game is based on the fictional game of ''Duel Monsters'' (origi ...
Monster Card "Number 60: Dugares the Timeless".
Explanatory notes
References
{{Demons in Pseudomonarchia Daemonum
Goetic demons