Let’s talk today about Astaroth the Demon considered as “The Great Duke of Hell“. A being of great powers that generates dread.
Who is the demon Astoroth?
Astaroth is often depicted as one of the demons who serves as the “Grand Duke of Hell“, although there is some debate as to whether he is a demon or was simply brought into existence as a demon when the modern religions of this world rose to power.
It is believed that Astaroth’s origins are rooted in the Babylonian goddess Astaroth and that she was transformed into the demon Astaroth as a way of undermining existing beliefs. For this reason, it is essential to know Astaroth and other ancient goddesses to fully understand Great Duke of Hell.
Because of the debate over Astaroth’s origins, there are several different variations of who he (or she) is in his (or her) true form. Most versions of the dominant religions (especially Christianity and Islam) claim that this demon has always been a demon.
Their explanation for the creature’s appearance in modern times is simply that as a deceiver, Astaroth took the form of the goddess Astaroth to gain favor with the people. It is said that he commonly tries to win people over through laziness and manipulation of logic.
There are, however, other religions that see Astaroth as a helpful demon who is not necessarily benevolent, but is not evil either. In addition, some writings that mention Great Duke of Hell seem to portray him as an angel who “opposes the demon of power” (Testament of Solomon).
Astaroth according to modern religion
What is known about Astaroth according to major religions is that he is said to be part of the first hierarchy in Hell which is composed of an evil trinity (Astaroth, Beelzebub and Lucifer / Satan / Beelzebub). Astaroth is perhaps one of the lesser threats to humanity in terms of physical danger, although he seems to be fond of manipulation and corruption of an intellectual nature.
This is not to say, however, that Astaroth does not have impressive power in the ranks of Hell. As one of the Grand Dukes of Hell (the evil trinity), Great Duke of Hell possesses immense power that must be recognized. In addition to his position in the evil trinity, Astaroth is believed to command 40 legions of demons and spirits, suggesting that he is also a respected military strategist.
Astaroth the ally of evil
This may explain why Astaroth is seen as a political ally. This demon is also given a place that reflects his impressive intelligence as Treasurer of Hell. With these titles combined, it is easy to see why this demon is so feared and respected.
It is said that when Astaroth is summoned, he is willing to share his vast knowledge of the past, present, future and intellectual interests. However, when summoning Great Duke of Hell, it is important to take precautions. This demon is known for his foul-smelling breath that is said to be fatal in encounters.
To protect oneself from Astaroth’s breath, it is said that an enchanted ring made of pure silver can be worn as protection. This ring should be held under the summoner’s nose to ensure that the individual remains protected throughout the interaction with him. Failure to do so will result in death.
Manifestations of Astaroth
However, if you were able to summon Astaroth, you would find that the demon is very forthcoming with information and always responds with the truth. Great Duke of Hell is said to be especially fond of telling people the story of creation and the story of the fall of the angels and the old world. Although this seems out of place with the behavior one would expect from a Grand Duke of Hell, it is possible that this demon has an ulterior motive.
Every story of an encounter with Astaroth is said to have at least one point in time where the Duke is very upset that he has become a demon and seems to think he has been misjudged. He will tell the whole truth of the story of his downfall, although he will often go to great lengths to show why he is being unfairly judged and punished.
There are conflicting opinions as to why Astaroth is known to plead his case so often. Those who follow the views of the major religions claim that Astaroth uses his knowledge to manipulate the truth of his downfall and lead others into temptation and, eventually, eternal damnation. Others believe that Great Duke of Hell is a victim and that his image has been misinterpreted over time.
To say the least, the view on his appearance as a demon is interesting because it is unclear whether he has earned this title because he was once an angel who was cast out of the creator’s favor, or whether he is a demon because a religion or culture found it necessary to change his true identity. Either way, the Grand Duke is clear that the punishment he has been given is unfair, though most who believe in Astaroth will attribute it to one of his tricks.
Wisdom of Astaroth
If asked, Astaroth will tell any truth concerning the past, present or future. He is also quick to help others acquire knowledge about anything involving intellectual pursuits and is especially eager to help with matters of science. Those who worshipped him in various ancient cultures were known for their flourishing and intellectual societies.
Astaroth is also known to be a great mentor to turn to if you need help, especially if that help is needed to establish important political or trade connections. According to many legends, Great Duke of Hell serves as counsel to both humans and demons, although he seems to have a preference for human affairs. This is possibly because Astaroth seems to have a conscience when it comes to giving advice and does not want his wisdom to be associated with bad or evil intentions.
Interestingly, although Astaroth is considered part of the evil trinity, he is only willing to empower those who seek his help in doing good deeds. It is said that if anyone tries to call upon him for evil intentions, he will refuse to lend assistance.
In addition, many people claim that Astaroth will only appear to those who see him as the goddess Astaroth. Anyone who does not recognize her as a goddess and tries to summon Astaroth in demon form is usually ignored, although there are a small number of success stories.
Physical appearance
Accounts of Astaroth’s appearance differ depending on which texts you rely on: those of the mainstream religion describing Great Duke of Hell, or those of the primitive religion describing Astaroth.
The texts describing Astaroth describe him as a miserable angel. The Lesser Key of Solomon describes Ashtaroth as follows:
“The twenty-ninth Spirit is Astaroth. He is a Strong and Mighty Duke, and appears in the form of a hurtful Angel riding upon an Infernal Beast like a Dragon, and carrying in his right hand a Viper. Let him not come too near you, lest he harm you with his noxious breath.” Other accounts mention that Astaroth may have horned wings and often note the shadowy nature of the being.
The accounts describing Astaroth, however, could not be more different. Astaroth was commonly referred to as the “Queen of Heaven” and is often described as having long golden hair, being quite tall and surrounded by a mixture of white and gold.
The fall and rise of Astaroth
There is some controversy regarding the fall and rise of Astaroth. There are several theories as to who Astaroth may be, but it is difficult to determine which is true.
The ancient Sumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians regarded Astaroth with the greatest respect, although they recognized her under different names. She was supposed to be the goddess of fertility and war, and symbolizes a life of luxury. Many temples and statues were built in her honor and all the areas she guarded supposedly prospered during her reign.
However, when the major religions came to power (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), they tarnished Astaroth’s name and claimed she was a deceiver. Eventually, they changed her name to Astaroth and said that she was a Grand Duke of Hell who appeared in the form of Astaroth (and others) when she was trying to deceive people.
Interestingly, there are some parts of Astaroth that remain in Christianity according to those who still believe in the goddess. Some claim that “The Virgin Mary” was fictitious, and was created to take the place of Astaroth in literature. There is no evidence that this is true, although it does raise an interesting question.
Although there are no definitive answers to the question of which one is real – Astaroth, many people who try to summon him report failure unless they call “him” by the name Astaroth. Those who do this claim to see a female goddess rather than a demon. Others, however, claim to have seen this demon and that he exists as the deceiver described in religious texts.
Astaroth in other cultures
In other cultures their relation of this demon popularly known as “The Grand Duke Of Hell” are as follows:
Astaroth
Astaroth was a Mesopotamian goddess known for her connection to fertility, sexuality and war. She was highly respected and was one of the main deities worshipped during this time. According to legends, this demon was worshipped by many cultures under different names and was also the first primordial goddess of Venus.
Inanna
Inanna was a Sumerian goddess who was often referred to as the “Queen of Heaven.” Because Inanna and Astaroth are so similar, many theologians believe that she is the same goddess as Astaroth.
The demoness Inanna was known for her many talents, but especially for her position as the goddess of love, beauty, sex, desire, fertility and war. Inanna was also known for her deep reverence for justice and for having great political power. This is possibly the reason Astaroth is credited with being well known for his ability to establish powerful political connections on behalf of man.
Ishtar
Let theologians also connect Astaroth with Ishtar, the Akkadian goddess. This is possibly due to her high rank in Akkadian society and her association with fertility and power. However, there are notable differences.
Ishtar is known to have associations with the storehouse and was thought to be the goddess of dates, meat, grain and wool. She was also believed to be the goddess of rain and thunderstorms. It is believed that Ishtar’s connection with storms may have led to her association (and by default his association) with war.
Isis
Because of Isis’ connections and similarities to the Great Duke of Hell, it is likely that she had an important role in shaping Astaroth’s character. Isis was known for her role in the underworld, her power over other gods and her abundant wisdom. Her dedication, her gentle nature and her depiction in the story of the rebirth of Osiris and the birth of Horus also help to cement her as the mother of the afterlife.
This may have influenced the way hi is portrayed in Hades. As a trusted advisor, Isis’ traits are almost certainly to the credit of this feature. Both are deities who are powerful and knowledgeable, making them a force to be reckoned with.
Explanation of the myth of Astaroth
Astaroth is certainly a demon with many interesting qualities and a complicated past, but there are still many questions regarding her connections to the ancient goddesses mentioned above. Therefore, Astaroth’s identity will always be a bit of a mystery.
Regardless of whether the Great Duke of Hell has always been a demon, whether she was once an angel who became a demon, or whether she was a goddess whose identity was hidden, the fact remains that she possesses tremendous power and knowledge. Her existence probably speaks to the need to identify a creator who signified good and a source of opposition with the capacity to pose a threat to humanity.
Such opposition would have been important in instilling the need to live by a certain moral code and to establish rules and regulations in society that would lead to stable civilizations.
