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Astaroth is often depicted as one of the demons that serves as the ‘Great Duke of Hell’ though there is some debate over if he is a demon or was simply brought into existence as a demon when the modern religions of this world rose to power.

Astaroth ByProf. Geller -August 5, 2018 Fast Facts: Classification: Demon Also Known As: Ashtaroth, Astarot, Asteroth, Great Duke of Hell Related to: Is thought to have originally been part of King Solomon’s Household, Is thought to have a connection to Astarte Powers: Knowledge of Past, Present, and Future, Knowledge of Sciences, Knowledge of the Creation Story, Can Grant Power over Serpents Weapons: Ruler of 40 legions of souls and spirits, Foul Breath Who is Astaroth? Astaroth is often depicted as one of the demons that serves as the ‘Great Duke of Hell’ though there is some debate over if 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 thought that the origins of Astaroth are rooted in the Babylonian goddess Astarte and that she was transformed into the demon Astaroth as a way of undermining existing beliefs. For this reason, it is essential to know Astarte and other ancient goddesses to fully understand Astaroth. Because of the debate over the origins of Astaroth, there are several different variations of who he (or she) is in their true form. Most versions of the dominant religions (especially Christianity and Islam) claim that Astaroth has always been a demon. Their explanation for the appearance of the creature in modern day is simply that as a deceiver, Astaroth took the form of the goddess Astarte in order to gain favor among people. He is said to commonly try to win people over through laziness and the manipulation of logic. Astaroth in Great Duke of Hell There are, however, other religions that see Astaroth as a helpful demon that is not necessarily benevolent, but is also not evil. Additionally, some writings that mention Astaroth seem to portray him as an angel that is ‘opposed to the demon of power’ [Testament of Solomon]. Astaroth According to Modern Religion What is known of Astaroth according to the major religions is that he is said to be part of the first hierarchy in Hell that is comprised of an evil trinity (Astaroth, Beelzebub, and Lucifer [Satan]). Astaroth is perhaps one of the lesser threats to humanity so far as physical danger is concerned, though it appears that he is fond of manipulation and corruption that is intellectual in nature. This isn’t to say, however, that Astaroth doesn’t have impressive power in the ranks of Hell. As one of the Grand Dukes of Hell (the evil trinity), Astaroth holds immense power that must be recognized. In addition to his spot in the evil trinity Astaroth is thought to command 40 legions of demons and spirits, suggesting that he is also a respected military strategist. This could play into why Astaroth is seen as such a political ally. Astaroth is also given a spot that reflects his impressive intelligence as the Treasurer of Hell. With these combined titles, it is easy to see why this demon is both greatly feared and respected. It is said that when Astaroth is summoned, he is willing to share his great knowledge of the past, present, future, and intellectual pursuits. However, when one summons Astaroth, it is important to take precautions. This demon is known for his foul smelling breath that is said to be fatal upon encounters. To protect oneself from Astaroth’s breath, it is said that a charmed ring made of pure silver can be used as protection. This ring must be held underneath the nose of the summoner to ensure that the individual will remain protected for the entire interaction with Astaroth. Failure to do this will result in death. The Many Sides of Astaroth If you were, however, able to summon Astaroth, you’d find that the demon is quite forthcoming with information and always answers truthfully. It is said that Astaroth is especially fond of telling people the creation story and the tale regarding the fall of the angels and old world. While this seems to be out of line with the behavior that would be expected from a Grand Duke of Hell, it is possible that this demon has an ulterior motive. Every tale of an encounter with Astaroth is said to have at least one point in time where the Duke is shown be very upset to have become a demon and seems to think that he has been misjudged. He will tell the full truth of the story of his fall, though he will often make it a point to demonstrate why he is being unjustly judged and punished. There are conflicting views for why Astaroth is known to plead his case so frequently. Those who follow the opinions of the major religions claim that Astaroth uses his knowledge to manipulate the truth of his fall and lead others into temptation and, eventually, eternal damnation. Others are of the belief that Astaroth is a victim and his (or her) image has been misconstrued over time. To say the least, Astaroth’s view on his appearance as a demon is interesting because it is unclear if he has earned this title because he was once an angel that was cast out of the creator’s favor, or if he is a demon because a religion or culture found it nece...

Astaroth - Goetic Demon | Mythology.net