THE RANKS AND CATEGORIES OF PRINCIPAL DEVILS AND CHIEF DEMONS

by Carl L. Johnson
Article courtesy of NEAR Paranormal

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Englishman, Francis Barrett, published a book called ‘The Magus.’ (Although his writings were given credence by many researchers and he was regarded as a proficient demonologist, as an author, Esquire F. Barrett was obviously influenced by the codes of moral conduct which prevailed in his country during his lifetime. But then, in all fairness to his work, the sources upon which he drew were quite antiquated!) In that work he proposed the following classification, dividing all evil spirits (which I suppose should all be construed as demonic) into nine “degrees.” They are as follows.

1. ‘The False Gods or Demons’ who wish to be worshipped like God.
2. ‘The Spirits of Lies’ who elude men by divinations and predictions.
3. ‘The Vessels of Iniquity’ or ‘Vessels of Wrath’: inventors of evil things such as cards and dice.
4. ‘The Revengers of Evil’ whose prince is Asmodeus.
5. ‘The Deluders’ who imitate miracles and serve conjurors and witches; their prince in Satan.
6. ‘The Aerial Powers’ who offer themselves and join themselves to thunder and lightning, cusing pestilence; thie prince is called Meririm.
7. ‘The Furies’ who are powers of evil discord, war and devastation, led by Abaddon.
8. ‘The Accusers’ or ‘Inqusitors’ whose prince is Astaroth; in Greek he is called ‘Diabolus’ which means ‘accuser’ or ‘calumniator.’
9. ‘The Templars’ and ‘Ensnarers,’ one of which is present in every man,* which we call the evil genius; their prince is Mammon whose name means ‘intrepid covetness.’

*(Here the author neglects to include both sexes, which apparently was not considered a relevant oversight during the era since “man” generally was taken to mean “mankind.”)

In this book the author(s) have attempted to describe as many different types of demons as possible. The classifications is at least as arbitrary as that of a great number of earlier demonologists and, instead of basing it on some magical system, it has been anchored in geography. This manner does not necessarily include repitition. No matter how different any given cultures might be, the very existence of malign, supernatural spirits which have to be held in check by all of the cultures investigated, shows the similarity of certain deeply rooted human concerns and collective fears.

(Reference note: Much of the above text was taken from ‘The Book of Demons’ by Victoria Hyatt and Joseph W. Charles.)

The Hierarchy of the Infernal Regions

(It will be apparent that the demonologist who originally compiled this roster of the chief demonic echelons was predisposed to Western European military assignation!)

Here are the names of the principal infernal spirits: Lucifer, Emperor. Beelzebub, Prime Minister. Astaroth, Grand Duke. Then come the superior spirits that are subject to the above-mentioned devils:

Lucifuge, Prime Minister
Satanachia, Grand General
Agaliarept, Grand General
Fleuretty, Lieutenant General
Sargatanas, Brigadier
Nebiros, Field Marshal

These six demons just mentioned direct, by their power, the entire infernal might granted to the other demons.
The have at their service eighteen other spirits subordinate to them, as follows:

Bael
Agares
Marbus
Pruslas
Aamon
Barbatos
Buer
Gusoyn
Botis
Bathim
Pursan
Abigar
Loray
Valefar
Forau
Ayperos
Nuberus
Glasyabolus

And, although there are still millions of demons subject to the above-mentioned ones, it is quite useless to name them, since they are deployed only at the discretion of the superior demons who may compel them to operate in their stead, because they use all these lower spirits as their workers or slaves.

Demons Who Rule The Earth:

Oriens, ruler of the spirits of the East.
Amemon, ruler of the spirits of the South.
Eltzen, ruler of the spirits of the North.
Boul, ruler of the spirits of the West.

- From a medieval grimoire, the title of which was not given.

(Reference note: Much of the above text is contained in the book ‘A Treasury of Withcraft’ by Harry E. Wedeck.)

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