Astaroth (also Ashtaroth, Astarot and Astetoth), in demonology, is considered to be the Great Duke of Hell. He is described as a male figure, most likely named after the unrelated Near Eastern goddess Astarte.

Background

The name ''Astaroth'' was ultimately derived from that of 2nd millennium BC Phoenician goddess Astarte,Lon Milo DuQuette and Christopher S. Hyatt. ''Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia'' (1992). New Falcon: Temple, AZ, USA, p. 52. an equivalent of the Babylonian Ishtar, and the earlier Sumerian Inanna, and the later Greek Aphrodite (Roman

Venus Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is often called Earth's "twin" or "sister" planet for having almost the same size and mass, and the closest orbit to Earth's. While both are rocky planets, Venus has an atmosphere much thicker ...

). She is mentioned in the

Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh (;"Tanach"
. ''

Appearances in literature

The name "Astaroth" as a male demon is first seen in '' The Book of Abramelin'', purportedly written in

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

, and recurred in most

occult The occult () is a category of esoteric or supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of organized religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving a 'hidden' or 'secret' agency, such as magic and mysti ...

grimoires of the following centuries. Astaroth also features as an

archdemon In some occult and similar writings, an archdemon (also spelled archdaemon), archdevil, or archfiend is a spiritual entity prominent in the Hell, infernal hierarchy as a leader of demons. Essentially, the archdemons are the evil opponents of the ...

associated with the '' qlippoth'' (adverse forces) according to later Kabbalistic texts, as he rules over the qlippa of Jupiter, known as Gha'agsheblah. Dutch demonologist Johann Weyer also described Astaroth in his '' Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'' (1577) thus: "Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, coming forth in the shape of a foul angel, sitting upon an infernal dragon, and carrying on his left hand a viper", who also claimed to rule 40 legions. Additionally, he had to be approached by the conjurer with a magical ring on account. He is similarly referred to in the 17th-century work '' The Lesser Key of Solomon''. He also makes an appearance in the notorious '' Grimorium Verum'' (''True Grimoire''), as the infernal principality which rules the Americas. According to some demonologists of the 16th century, August is the month during which this demon's attacks against man are stronger. According to Sebastien Michaelis, he 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 ...

of the First Hierarchy, who seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies. His adversary is St. Bartholomew, who can protect against him for he has resisted Astaroth's "temptations". To others, he teaches

mathematical Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...

sciences and handicrafts, can make men invisible and lead them to hidden treasures, and answers every question formulated to him. He was also said to give to mortal beings the power over serpents. Was mentioned as a co-signatory of a Diabolical pact with Urban Grandier. According to Francis Barrett (), Astaroth is the prince of accusers and inquisitors. In art, in the '' Dictionnaire Infernal'' (1818), Astaroth is depicted as a nude man with feathered wings, wearing a crown, holding a serpent in one hand, and riding a beast with dragon-like wings and a serpent-like tail.

Appearances in film

Ashtaroth is one of three demons summoned by Faustus to attack Benvolio in '' Doctor Faustus''. The "Star of Astoroth" features prominently in the 1971 Disney film '' Bedknobs and Broomsticks'', where it takes the form of a magical medallion. Astaroth is named in the 1976 Hammer horror film '' To the Devil a Daughter''. In the 1920 silent horror film '' The Golem: How He Came into the World'', Rabbi Loew and his assistant summon Astaroth to animate the Golem resulting in deadly and destructive results. Astaroth also appears in the 2007 television series '' Blood Ties'', with his symbol displayed in the first few episodes. The Solomonic seal of Astaroth makes an appearance in the 2017 film '' Pyewacket''. Astaroth is also seen in anime adaptations, features as the djinn of Kouen Ren in " Magi". Astaroth symbolism is also prevalent in the 2018 film '' Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made'', and a symbol of Astaroth appears in the movie over 170 times. Astaroth is the title character in "Astaroth"/"Astaroth Female Demon", a film by the Brazilian director Larissa Anzoategui. The name of the company that made the film is also "Astaroth Produções" Astaroth appears as the main antagonist of the 2022 movie '' R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned''.

References

Sources

* S. L. MacGregor Mathers, A. Crowley, '' The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King'' (1904). 1995 reprint: .

External links