Who Is Agares, the Demon of Earthquakes and Deception?

Agares is the second demon of the Ars Goetia and a powerful demon in Christian demonology. He appears in old books about magic and spirits.

Typically referred to as a Duke of Hell, he rules over parts of Hell and commands 31 legions of demons. His main roles include teaching people different languages, causing earthquakes, and altering social hierarchies.

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Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Names	Agares, Agarus, Agarat, Agaros, Aguares, Agreas
Title	Duke, Great Duke, First Duke of the East
Gender	Male
Role	Teaches immoral expressions, causes earthquakes, destroys dignities, induces flight in enemies
Rank	Duke
Hierarchy	Serves under the power of the East or Oriens; subordinate to Lucifuge Rofocale; no known lesser demons under him
Legions	31
Powers	Teaches languages to spread deceit, causes earthquakes to bring destruction, destroys spiritual and temporal dignities to sow chaos, stops and retrieves runaways to enforce control
Associated Figures	King Solomon, other Goetic demons like Bael and Vassago
Weaknesses	Can be opposed by certain angels, bound in rituals using specific names
Opposing Angel/Saint	Jelial
Pantheon	Christian, with possible Greek and Jewish influences
Primary Sources	Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Dictionnaire Infernal, Livre des Esperitz, Book of the Office of Spirits, Grimoire of Pope Honorius, Grand Grimoire, Sloane MS 3824, The Lesser Key of Solomon

“Agares” Meaning

The name “Agares” originates from ancient roots that are tied to concepts of movement and power. Some experts believe it is linked to the Latin word “agar,” meaning to move quickly or drive something away. This aligns with his powers (such as making people run or stopping them in their tracks).

In ancient times, names often carried deep meanings based on the abilities or characteristics of the being. So, Agares might suggest a force that pushes or pulls things out of place—think earthquakes or chasing runaways.

Over time, the name changed in different books. In one old text, he is called Agarat. Another calls him Agaros or Aguares. These shifts occurred because writers copied from each other across languages (such as Latin, French, and English).

For example, in French works, it becomes Aguares, which sounds close but looks different. This illustrates how stories evolve and adapt over time.

According to other linguists, the name draws from Greek myths. There was a figure named Argus, who had many eyes and watched everything. Agares might be a twisted version of that, turned into a demon who sees and controls hidden things.

However, most sources stick to Christian views, where demons like him fell from Heaven. His name evokes fear because it suggests disruption and rapid change.

Variations appear in grimoires, old magic books. In one, he is Agreas; in another, Agarus. These small changes reflect how people in different places heard or wrote the name.

Despite the tweaks, the core idea stays the same: a demon linked to speed, earth shakes, and language tricks.

Understanding the name helps see why Agares holds such a spot in demon lists.

How to Pronounce “Agares” in English

In English, say Agares as “AH-gah-rez.” Break it down: “AH” like in father, “gah” like in garden, “rez” like in red with a z sound. Keep it smooth and even.

What Does Agares Look Like?

Agares appears in sources as an old man with a mild demeanor. He rides on a crocodile, which makes him seem strange and terrifying. In his hand, he holds a hawk or goshawk, ready to fly off.

This image comes from old drawings in books like the Dictionnaire Infernal. The crocodile represents danger and hidden power, while the bird symbolizes speed and sharp sight.

In drawings, he often wears robes or a crown, showing his duke rank in Hell.

Some texts modify the details slightly. For example, according to other sources, the demon rides a cockatrice (a hybrid of a rooster and a snake) instead of a crocodile—and no hawk is mentioned. Another grimmoire keeps it even simpler: just an old man, no mount or bird. The old man form might originate from ideas of fallen angels who retain some heavenly qualities but twist them.

Why these animals? The crocodile is linked to earth and water, fitting its power to cause earthquakes. The hawk ties to the air and hunting, matching his skill in finding runaways. Together, they paint Agares as a master of nature’s forces.

Interestingly, his mild manner is what tricks people. He is not huge or monstrous like some demons. Instead, he looks calm and wise, like a kind elder. But this hides his dark side.

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Origins

Agares started as a fallen angel. Before his fall, he belonged to the order of Virtues (angels tied to courage and good acts). However, when he rebelled against God, he was thrown away from Heaven and became a demon lord in Hell.

Interestingly, unlike some other demon lords or old gods, Agares has no clear family tree.

His first known mentions date back to the 1500s. The Livre des Esperitz lists him as Agarat, a simple old man who teaches languages and gives titles. This book, from around the 1400s or 1500s, sets the base for later descriptions.

By 1577, Johann Weyer wrote about him in Pseudomonarchia Daemonum. Here, Agares is a duke of the east, riding a crocodile with a hawk. According to Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, the demon commands 31 legions. Weyer also included some additional details, like the power to cause earthquakes.

In the 1600s, the Lesser Key of Solomon further expanded the myth. The Ars Goetia section refers to him as Agreas (or Agares), the second spirit overall. He keeps the same look and powers but gets tied to King Solomon, who bound demons.

Over time, he appears in more texts. The Dictionnaire Infernal of 1818 depicts him in a famous drawing: an old man on a crocodile. The Grand Grimoire makes him serve under Lucifuge Rofocale. Sloane MS 3824 (an old manuscript) mentions him as a demon that can reveal hidden treasures.

His role evolves from a language teacher to a destroyer of ranks. This shift mirrors how the demon’s stories evolved to become darker in Christian times. Influences from Greek myths, such as Argus the watcher, may be present, but Christian views generally prevail.

Was Agares Ever Mentioned in the Bible?

Agares does not appear in the Bible. No verses in the Old Testament, New Testament, or apocrypha mention him by name. His tales come from later magic books, not holy scriptures.

Agares in Grimoires and Other Texts

Agares shows up in many occult books after the Bible. For example, the Ars Goetia (part of the Lesser Key of Solomon, dating back to the 1600s) lists him as the second demon bound by King Solomon. Other works, like the Grand Grimoire, place him as a servant of a more powerful demon, Lucifuge Rofocale.

Source	Quote or Description
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum	Agares – The first duke under the power of the east, is named Agares, he commeth up mildile [i.e. he appears willingly] in the likenes of a faire old man, riding upon a crocodile, and carrieng a hawke on his fist; hee teacheth presentlie all maner of toongs, he fetcheth backe all such as runne awaie, and maketh them runne that stand still; he overthroweth all dignities supernaturall and temporall, hee maketh earthquakes, [lit. “and makes spirits of the earth dance”] and is of the order of vertues, having under his regiment thirtie one legions.
Ars Goetia	The Second Spirit is a Duke called Agreas, or Agares. He is under the Power of the East, and cometh up in the form of an old fair Man, riding upon a Crocodile, carrying a Goshawk upon his fist, and yet mild in appearance. He maketh them to run that stand still, and bringeth back runaways. He teaches all Languages or Tongues presently. He hath power also to destroy Dignities both Spiritual and Temporal, and causeth Earthquakes. He was of the Order of Virtues. He hath under his government 31 Legions of Spirits.
Dictionnaire Infernal	Agares: grand duke of the eastern part of the underworld. He shows himself as a lord riding a crocodile, the hawk in his hand.
Livre des Esperitz	Agarat is a spirit who appears as an old man, teaches languages, and gives dignities and prelacies.
Book of the Office of Spirits	Agares is the second under Oriens, appearing on a cockatrice, teaching tongues and causing runaways to return.
Grimoire of Pope Honorius	Agares, a duke, teaches languages and grants titles, appearing as an old man with a mild demeanor.
Grand Grimoire	Agares serves under Lucifuge Rofocale, commanding 31 legions and aiding in destructive acts like earthquakes.

Powers and Abilities

Agares is said to possess many dark powers in demon lore. These focus on chaos, control, and destruction. Here is a list:

• Teaches languages: He gives quick knowledge of tongues to spread lies and deceit among people. This helps trick others in deals or plots.
• Causes earthquakes: He shakes the earth to bring ruin and fear. This power destroys homes, lands, and lives, showing his tie to natural disasters.
• Destroys dignities: He tears down ranks in church and state. This sows disorder, causing leaders to fall and societies to break apart.
• Stops those who run: He forces fleeing people to halt, trapping them in bad situations. This helps capture enemies or lost souls.
• Retrieves runaways: He brings back those who escape, enforcing control over the weak. This keeps power in the hands of the strong.
• Grants noble titles: He gives false honors to lure people into evil paths. These titles lead to pride and downfall.
• Makes spirits dance: In some texts, he commands earth spirits to move wildly, linked to his ability to cause earthquakes. This disrupts the natural order.
• Overthrows supernatural powers: He weakens other spirits or angels, helping dark forces gain ground.

These abilities make Agares a tool for tempting humans in their affairs. He influences wars by chasing soldiers or breaking alliances through language tricks. His earthquake power ties to end-times fears in Christian thought. As a fallen virtue, his skills twist good things, such as learning, into tools for harm.

Agares vs Other Similar Demonic Entities

Demon Name	Associated Sin/Temptation	Rank/Origin	Key Traits/Powers
Bael	Deception	King/Ars Goetia	Invisible, commands 66 legions, shape-shifts to toad, cat, man
Vassago	Divination for evil	Prince/Ars Goetia	Reveals past and future to hide crimes, finds lost items for theft
Marbas	Disease	President/Ars Goetia	Causes and spreads illness, changes shapes to deceive
Valefor	Theft	Duke/Ars Goetia	Tempts to steal, commands 10 legions, appears as lion with donkey head
Amon	Wrath	Marquis/Ars Goetia	Incites anger and feuds, foretells future to fuel conflicts
Barbatos	Discord	Duke/Ars Goetia	Understands animals to spy, conciliates friends falsely
Paimon	False knowledge	King/Ars Goetia	Teaches arts to mislead, binds others to will
Buer	Sloth	President/Ars Goetia	Heals to prolong sin, teaches philosophy twistedly
Gusion	Dishonor	Duke/Ars Goetia	Reveals secrets to blackmail, gives false honors
Sitri	Lust	Prince/Ars Goetia	Inflames passions, reveals women’s secrets for exploitation
Beleth	Rebellion	King/Ars Goetia	Causes love to break bonds, commands 85 legions
Leraje	War	Marquis/Ars Goetia	Causes battles, rots arrow wounds
Eligos	Strife	Duke/Ars Goetia	Discovers hidden things for plots, foretells wars
Zepar	Infertility	Duke/Ars Goetia	Makes women barren, changes shapes for seduction
Botis	Division	President/Ars Goetia	Tells past and future to sow discord, reconciles falsely

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Rank in the Hierarchy of Hell

Agares holds the rank of the First Duke of the East in Hell’s order. This places him high but not at the top. Dukes command large groups and rule zones.

Some texts say he serves under Oriens or the power of the east. In the Grand Grimoire, he answers to Lucifuge Rofocale, a prime minister.

Relationships with others stay vague. He works alone in most tales, but the grimoires group him with the 72 demons Solomon bound. He might rival those with similar powers, like Vassago, who also reveals things.

His east tie links to dawn and new starts, but twisted to destruction. This fits his language teaching—new words for old lies.

Overall, his duke role shows a balance of command and service. He enforces Hell’s will on earth, using legions for chaos. This hierarchy helps to understand the flow of demon power, from Lucifer down. Agares bridges the gap between high leaders and foot soldiers, making him key to infernal plans.

Mystical Correspondences

Attribute	Details
Planet	Venus
Zodiac Sign	Aries
Element	Earth
Direction	East
Color	Green
Number	2
Crystal/Mineral	Emerald
Metal	Copper
Herb/Plant	Carnation
Animal	Crocodile

Agares links to Venus, which rules love and beauty—but in his case, twisted to deceit and false charm. This planet boosts his language skills, which he uses to lure and trick.

Aries, his zodiac sign, brings fire and action, fitting his quick moves and earthquakes. Summoning him in the Aries season, from March to April, amps his power for chaos.

The earth element grounds his destructive force (like shaking the ground to bury secrets or foes). East direction ties to his duke role, where rituals face that way for stronger calls. The color green symbolizes growth gone wrong, such as envy or poison. Number 2 reflects his second spot in lists, symbolizing duality in the fall from grace.

These ties show Agares as a force of upset balance. They help grasp his evil by linking to stars and earth, making his influence feel vast and unavoidable.

Crystals like emerald aid in rituals to focus his energy, while copper talismans draw his presence. Carnations and crocodiles symbolize his wild, untamed side.

Agares’s Sigil

The sigil of Agares is a unique mark used in old magic. It resembles a circle with curved lines and a cross in the middle, resembling horns or a smile turned upside down. His name letters wrap around the edge. This design originates from grimoires such as the Ars Goetia.

In history, summoners drew the sigil to call him. It acted as his signature, focusing energy. Made of paper or metal, it was used in rituals to gain power or knowledge. The sigil’s curves might tie to his crocodile ride, wavy like scales.

People etched it on tools or wore it as an amulet. This sealed pacts or was protected by spells. Today, it appears in books and art about demons.

Summoning and Rituals

In ancient grimoires, the meticulous summoning of Agares required extensive preparations and an acute awareness of spiritual protocols.

Texts such as the Ars Goetia elaborate on the intricate design of protective circles that were to be meticulously drawn on the ground with consecrated chalk or clay. These circles not only served as a safeguard against malevolent forces but also featured the divine names of God or associated angels inscribed within them, acting as binding agents to keep the demon under control.

Essential tools used in these rituals consist of carefully selected wands made from particular types of wood, known for their unique spiritual properties, alongside incense that had been consecrated with specific fragrances to create a conducive atmosphere.

Furthermore, candles of specific colors, each representing various aspects of the summoning—such as red for power, yellow for intellect, or green for prosperity—were integral to the ritual setup.

The rituals aimed to harness the formidable powers attributed to Agares, including the enhancement of language skills, the ability to communicate fluently in various tongues, or even the capability to induce tremors and quakes.

To effectively draw his presence, summoners often recited powerful incantations (predominantly in Latin, a language regarded as having inherent magical properties). It was of paramount importance for the summoner to orient themselves towards the east, the direction symbolizing enlightenment and new beginnings, as they performed the invocation.

The Sloane MS 3824 manuscript notably includes references to employing crystals, which were believed to possess the ability to capture and reflect the image of the summoned entity, serving both as a focus and a containment vessel.

Invocations of his name and authoritative commands formed the backbone of the incantatory practices, with purposes varying from locating hidden treasures to exacting revenge upon adversaries.

It is crucial to acknowledge that these practices have historically been viewed as perilous, often associated with the risk of ensnaring one’s soul in the process. Cultural attitudes towards such summoning rituals have shifted over time, with the dread of witchcraft hunts further cementing their status as taboo.

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