Demon

A demon is an evil supernatural being most often portrayed as a follower or servant of a more powerful malevolent force. References to demons have been found in texts dating back to the first human civilizations in Mesopotamia. However, in the ancient world, demons were often seen as spiritual beings that could be both good and bad. This dynamic is illustrated in the name demon, which comes from the Greek word daimon, meaning “deity,” or “lesser god.” After the rise of the monotheistic Abrahamic religions, demons began to be viewed exclusively as evil beings that were under the command of the devil, or Satan. Medieval theologians even developed systems to categorize demons into hierarchies, ascribing to them specific attributes and methods of tempting and tormenting humans.

Background

The idea of evil spirits in nature is likely one that predates written records and was part of the belief systems of many prehistoric cultures. The earliest known mention of malicious spiritual beings can be found in ancient tablets and incantations from Sumer, generally considered the world’s first civilization. The Sumerians believed in a pantheon of good and evil deities of varying degrees of importance. Their writings sometimes used the terms gods, spirits, and demons interchangeably, with the closest equivalent of a modern demon simply being the evil form of a deity. To the Sumerians, evil spirits had less power than a great god and were believed to be messengers of the underworld. They were said to live near graves or in the desert, and they were responsible for causing disease.

The Babylonians, another ancient Mesopotamian culture, believed in groups of spirits called the maskim, or “ensnarers.” Seven of the maskim, often called the Seven Evil Spirits or the Seven Maskim, were said to be cruel beings that served the queen of the underworld and brought disasters to the earth. Another group of maskim were the servants of the god Anu. These beings lived in the heavens and manifested themselves as flashes of lightning and strong storms. A female Babylonian demon called Lamashtu was a monstrous being said to kill newborns and children in the womb. She was opposed by another demon named Pazuzu, who parents often called on to protect their children.

Overview

Many early religious and spiritual systems viewed demons in a similar manner, considering them to be spiritual figures capable of both good and evil. The ancient Greeks used the term daimon to refer to any supernatural being who was lower than the gods but higher in importance than humans. Many ancient cultures gave demons the ability to change shape and sometimes associated them with a particular physical object or place. Demons were not the object of prayer the way the higher gods were. Instead, they could be summoned or commanded through magic or mystical rites.

This view largely shifted as the Abrahamic religions spread and emphasized belief in a single, omnipotent creator god. However, elements persisted in some cultures. For example, Arabic and Islamic tradition tells of a race of supernatural beings called jinn, or djinn. The jinn were said to have been beings of smokeless fire who were granted the free will to either reward humans or torment them.

In the early years of the Christian church, religious leaders actively condemned the spiritual beliefs of older religions. To suppress these beliefs, the church connected the gods and spiritual beings of “pagan” religions to Satan, the great enemy of the Christian God. The spiritual beings and lesser deities known as demons became evil fallen angels who served Satan as their master. Demons were given a role as the tormentors of humankind, afflicting people with illnesses and constantly tempting the righteous to sin against God.

The concept of demons in the Western world was also influenced by a pseudo-religious text known as the Testament of Solomon, which was published sometime in the first century CE. The work, which was falsely claimed to have been written by the biblical King Solomon, tells the story of a young man who asks the king for help in battling a vampire-like demon. As Solomon prays for aid, he is given a mystical ring by the archangel Michael. Using the ring, Solomon is able to summon forth demons and force them to reveal their true names, the afflictions they cause, and how they may be driven off. Using this knowledge, Solomon is able to control the demons and compels them to begin construction on his great temple.

Religious scholars in the fifth century often placed demons into one of five categories: demons of the air, earth, fire, water, and the underground. Later classifications added a sixth category that counted ghosts as demons. Some authors drew upon established folklore to create their lists of demons that tormented humanity. Incubi and succubi—demons said to trick humans into having sex with them—originated in ancient Mesopotamian mythology. The offspring created by the union of a human and these demons were called cambions. Familiars were small, “personal” demons who took the form of an animal and served a witch or a warlock. Nightmare-causing demons called drudes originated from German folklore.

In the Middle Ages, Christian theologians and scholars developed elaborate hierarchies and classifications of demons. These were often based on the structure of medieval society, with demons assigned ranks such as kings, princes, and dukes. Writers described demons as ugly, grotesque creatures that were responsible for specific sins and torments. Demons were also ascribed personalities, strengths, and weaknesses to aid those who wished to summon or banish them.

Demonic hierarchies varied by author, but many connected a major demon with one of the seven deadly sins. For example, Beelzebub, a powerful demonic prince and second in command to Satan—the lord of hell—was associated with the sin of pride. The demon prince Asmodeus was associated with lust. Other hierarchies assigned a specific Christian saint to oppose each demon. Leviathan, the demon prince of envy, was opposed by St. Peter; Astaroth, who tempted humans into laziness, was opposed by St. Bartholomew; and Soneillon, who tempted humans to hate, was opposed by St. Stephen. Lesser demons were even assigned their own “minor” sins, such as the demon Belias, who tempted people to gossip during mass. While all demons were said to serve Satan, the princes and nobles of hell were often assigned their own hordes of minor demons as servants.

Bibliography

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures. McFarland & Company, 2012.

“Demons.” Catholic Encyclopedia, 2017, www.newadvent.org/cathen/04710a.htm. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

“Demons and Demonology.” Jewish Virtual Library, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/demons-and-demonology. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Mark, Joshua J. “Pazuzu.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, 1 Feb. 2017, www.ancient.eu/Pazuzu. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Mason, Asenath. “Seven Babylonian Demons of the Underworld.” Magan Publications, www.magan.superhost.pl/essays/maskim.pdf. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

"The 7 Types of Demons as Per Mythology." Times of India, 20 Feb. 2024, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/soul-search/the-7-types-of-demons-as-per-mythology/photostory/107851831.cms. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Weyer, Johann. The False Hierarchy of Demons: Illustrated English Translation of Pseudomonarchia Daemonum. Abracax House, 2016.