Who Is Astaroth in Demonology and the Ars Goetia?

Astaroth is an important demon in demonology and is often called a Great Duke of Hell. In the Ars Goetia, the first part of the Lesser Key of Solomon, he appears as the 29th spirit. He is said to command 40 legions of lesser spirits.

Astaroth is seen as a powerful leader in the infernal ranks and is often mentioned with Lucifer and Beelzebub as part of an unholy trinity.

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Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Names	Astaroth, Ashtaroth, Asteroth, Astarot
Title	Great Duke of Hell, Lord of Treasures, Prince of Accusers
Gender	Masculine (in demonic form), though derived from a feminine deity
Role	Sower of discord, tempter of sloth, and teacher of liberal sciences through deceit
Rank	Grand Duke; one of the first three of the infernal hierarchy
Hierarchy	Serves under Lucifer; superior to four sub-princes: Oriens, Paimon, Ariton, and Amaimon
Legions	40 Legions
Powers	Grants knowledge of past and future, reveals secrets, and induces laziness
Associated Figures	Lucifer, Beelzebub, Astarte, Solomon
Weaknesses	The magical ring of Solomon, specific holy names, and the presence of St. Bartholomew
Opposing Angel/Saint	St. Bartholomew
Pantheon	Christian demonology with Semitic origins
Primary Sources	Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Dictionnaire Infernal, The Book of Abramelin

Who or What is Astaroth?

Astaroth is a major demon in Western occultism and Christian demonology, known as a Grand Duke of the Abyss. He is often shown as a treasurer or high-ranking advisor in the spirit world. Unlike lesser demons who cause physical harm, Astaroth is said to tempt people by offering secret knowledge or encouraging laziness.

As the 29th spirit in the Goetia, Astaroth is seen as very powerful and should be approached with great care. He is not wild or chaotic, but rather a creature of authority among demons. His main role is to reveal secrets and teach the ‘liberal sciences,’ but these gifts are often seen as ways to lead people away from faith and into pride or laziness.

“Astaroth” Meaning

The name Astaroth comes from the Phoenician goddess Astarte, who was called Ashtoreth by the ancient Hebrews. In Hebrew, Ashtoreth is a plural form (Ashtarot) and was often used in the Old Testament to refer to goddesses in general or to the Canaanite fertility goddess.

Over time, the name changed from a female goddess to a male demon through a process called interpretatio Christiana, in which pagan gods were reinterpreted as evil spirits. Hebrew scribes probably changed the vowels in Astarte’s name, using those from the word bosheth, which means ‘abomination,’ to form Ashtoreth.

By the time medieval grimoires were written, the ‘th’ ending, which is common in Hebrew feminine plurals, became part of the name for a single male demon. In the Dictionnaire Infernal, the name Astaroth was set, and he was no longer linked to fertility or war but instead to the infernal treasury and the temptation to be idle.

How to Pronounce “Astaroth” in English

In English, Astaroth is usually pronounced as AS-tuh-roth or AS-tar-oth. The first part, ‘AS,’ rhymes with ‘pass.’ The middle is a soft ‘tuh,’ and the last part, ‘roth,’ rhymes with ‘moth’ or ‘broth.’ Some occultists say as-TAR-oth, stressing the second syllable, but the first way is more common in academic settings.

What Does Astaroth Look Like?

Astaroth is described in many grimoires as having a strange and unsettling appearance. In the Ars Goetia and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, he is shown as a ‘foul angel’. He is usually pictured riding a dragon or a dragon-like beast with a long tail.

He has a viper in his hands, symbolizing his poisonous influence and his link to the ancient serpent. Some say he still looks somewhat angelic, but he gives off a strong, foul breath that is said to be deadly or very harmful to anyone who inhales it.

To protect themselves from the smell, people were once told to hold a silver ring in front of their faces. Later images, like the woodcut in Collin de Plancy’s Dictionnaire Infernal, show Astaroth with thin, gaunt features and feathered wings, sitting on his reptilian mount.

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Origins

From Astarte to Ashtoreth

Astaroth’s story begins with the ancient Levantine goddess Astarte, known as Inanna to the Sumerians and Ishtar to the Akkadians. In the Bronze Age, Astarte was a major and widely worshipped goddess in the Near East. She was known as the Queen of Heaven and was connected to war, sexuality, and the morning star (Venus).

In Phoenician and Canaanite cultures, Astarte was shown as a strong warrior-queen or a symbol of fertility, and she was seen as an equal to major gods like Baal.

The process of turning her into a demon began when Israelite monotheism became dominant. For the writers of the Old Testament, Astarte was the main rival to Yahweh’s worship, so her name was changed to Ashtoreth in the Hebrew scriptures.

This was done on purpose to take away the goddess’s dignity. She was no longer seen as a heavenly queen but was instead labeled a foreign abomination. The Bible’s use of the plural form Ashtaroth became a way to group all ‘false’ female idols together, turning a powerful goddess into just another symbol of impurity.

Interpretatio Christiana

The change from a ‘false goddess’ to a male Grand Duke of Hell happened in the Middle Ages. Christian theologians used interpretatio Christiana to turn all pagan gods into evil spirits living in a structured Hell. By the 15th century, the Hebrew plural Ashtaroth had become the Latinized, singular male name Astaroth.

This change was implemented in important demonology texts such as the Livre des Espirts and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum. In these works, Astaroth lost his old links to fertility and war and became a high-ranking demon official. His earlier connection to the ‘Morning Star’ was now seen as a link to Lucifer, which put him in the unholy trinity of Hell.

The War in Heaven and the Fall of the Seraphim

In the stories found in the Grand Grimoire and in the writings of exorcists like Sebastien Michaelis, Astaroth’s background is tied to the War in Heaven. Before the great rebellion, he was said to be part of the Order of Seraphim, or sometimes the Order of Thrones, which were the highest ranks among angels.

These stories say that Astaroth did not start the rebellion but was among the first of the top angels to join Lucifer. His main fault was intellectual pride and his tendency to convince other angels to join him with clever arguments. After losing to the Archangel Michael, he was thrown out of Heaven.

Unlike other fallen angels who lost all their beauty, Astaroth is said to have kept a ‘foul angelic’ look—a thin, twisted version of his old glory—as a lasting sign of his betrayal.

Imprisonment and the Solomonic Legend

Following the fall, Astaroth’s history enters the realm of Solomonic mythology. In the Testament of Solomon and following medieval grimoires, it is claimed that King Solomon used a divine ring to bind Astaroth. The demon was allegedly forced to reveal the locations of hidden treasures and the secrets of the “Liberal Sciences” to the king.

This time of ‘imprisonment’ or ‘binding’ is an important part of his story because it showed that Astaroth could be controlled with certain rituals. This changed him from a cosmic rebel into a ‘spirit of commerce’ and a ‘teacher of hidden things,’ which is how he is still seen in the Ars Goetia.

Was Astaroth Ever Mentioned in the Bible?

Astaroth is not mentioned as a singular male demon in the Bible. However, the plural form Ashtaroth appears several times in the Old Testament, referring to the idols or the cult of the goddess Astarte.

Source	Quote
Judges 2:13	“And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.”
1 Samuel 7:3	“And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”
1 Samuel 12:10	“And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.”
1 Samuel 31:10	“And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.”

Astaroth in Grimoires and Other Texts

Beyond the Bible, Astaroth is a central demon in the “Solomonic” literary cycle. These texts claim that King Solomon bound the demon and forced him to assist in the construction of the Temple or reveal hidden truths.

Source	Quote
Ars Goetia	“The Twenty-ninth Spirit is Astaroth. He is a Mighty, Strong Duke, and appeareth in the Form of an hurtful Angel riding on an Infernal Beast like a Dragon, and carrying in his right hand a Viper. Thou must on no account let him approach too near unto thee, lest he do thee damage by his Noisome Breath.”
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum	“Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, comming foorth in the shape of a fowle angell, sitting upon an infernall dragon, and carrieng on his right hand a viper.”
The Book of Abramelin	“Astarot: One of the eight Sub-Princes. He can provide the knowledge of all things that can be asked of him.”
Dictionnaire Infernal	“Astaroth, grand-duc très-puissant aux enfers. Il a la figure d’un ange fort laid, et se montre assis sur un dragon infernal; il tient à la main droite une vipère.”

Powers and Abilities

Astaroth’s powers mainly affect people’s minds and moral strength. Unlike demons who use physical force, his influence is more subtle and works on a psychological level. He is said to possess perfect knowledge of the past, present, and future, which enables him to manipulate people by revealing secrets they shouldn’t know.

He often uses the ‘Liberal Sciences’ as part of his power. Astaroth can quickly teach someone difficult subjects like math, astronomy, and philosophy. But this is seen as a trap, since the knowledge is meant to make people proud and pull them away from their faith.

Astaroth is also known as the main source of Sloth, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. He doesn’t make people lazy directly; instead, he fills their minds with doubt and distractions, making it feel pointless to do spiritual or physical work.

Astaroth is also said to have the power to reveal the location of hidden treasures. In 16th-century demonology, this could mean treasures of the mind or lost objects. Since he commands 40 legions, he can send spirits to watch any place on Earth, making his ‘vision’ almost everywhere in the physical world.

Astaroth Myths, Legends, and Stories

The Fall of the Seraphim

In various occult commentaries, a narrative exists regarding Astaroth’s existence before the creation of the world. It is claimed that Astaroth was an angel of the order of Seraphim, the highest choir of angels who surround the throne of God.

During the rebellion of Lucifer, Astaroth allegedly joined the ranks of the insurgents, believing that the angelic host should not be subservient to the upcoming creation of humanity. After the defeat of the rebel forces by the Archangel Michael, Astaroth was cast into the abyss.

Unlike many other fallen spirits who became twisted and animal-like, Astaroth is said to have kept his ‘angelic’ look. However, it became ‘foul’ or ‘ugly’ over time. This is a reminder of his lost status and the seriousness of his betrayal.

The Debate with the Exorcist in the Magus

In later occult stories and some 17th-century accounts, Astaroth is described as a talkative demon who often complains. When summoned by a magician or during an exorcism, he doesn’t always growl or threaten. Instead, he tries to defend himself, saying he was punished unfairly and didn’t fall by choice but was misled.

This story is meant as a warning about Astaroth’s main trick: using sympathy to deceive. By acting like a tragic, misunderstood spirit, he tries to make people let their guard down, making them easier to influence.

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St. Bartholomew and the Temple of Astaroth

A Christian legend from the Golden Legend tells of the Apostle St. Bartholomew’s journey to India. In the story, there was a temple with a large idol of Astaroth. The demon in the idol claimed to heal the sick, but he was really just stopping the suffering he had caused, tricking people into worshipping him.

When St. Bartholomew arrived, he confronted the demon. The Apostle made Astaroth show his true, ugly form and then drove him out of the area. The demon had to destroy his own idols before escaping into the desert.

This story establishes St. Bartholomew as Astaroth’s main spiritual opponent and explains the demon’s ‘weakness’ from a religious perspective.

Astaroth vs Other Christian Demons

Demon Name	Associated Sin/Temptation	Rank/Origin	Key Traits/Powers
Lucifer	Pride	Emperor / Fallen Seraph	Supreme ruler; source of all rebellion.
Beelzebub	Gluttony / Envy	Prince / Lord of Flies	Commanding lord of decay and false gods.
Asmodeus	Lust	King / Ars Goetia	Breaks marriages; grants invisibility.
Belphegor	Sloth / Discovery	Prince / Moabite Origin	Suggests ingenious inventions for wealth.
Mammon	Greed	Prince / Biblical	Personification of wealth and avarice.
Leviathan	Envy	Grand Admiral / Biblical	Monstrous sea serpent of the deep.
Belial	Lawlessness	King / Dead Sea Scrolls	The spirit of worthlessness and lies.
Azazel	Corruption	Chief / Book of Enoch	Taught smithing and weapon-making.
Pazuzu	Famine/Wind	King / Mesopotamian	Brings storms and locust plagues.
Bael	Invisibility	King / Ars Goetia	Speaks with a hoarse voice; grants wit.
Paimon	Obedience	King / Ars Goetia	Strongest of the sub-princes; loud voice.
Moloch	Sacrifice	Prince / Canaanite	Associated with the fire of child sacrifice.
Mephistopheles	Deception	Prince / Faustian Legend	Specializes in pacts and soul-buying.

Rank in the Hierarchy of Hell

Astaroth has a very high rank in the infernal hierarchy. In the Grand Grimoire, he is called the Grand Duke and is part of the top trio of Hell with Lucifer (the Emperor) and Beelzebub (the Prince). This means Astaroth acts like a chief advisor to the ruler of Hell.

Astaroth’s connections with other demons follow strict feudal rules. He commands several spirits, like Sargatanas and Nebiros, who serve as his officers. Although he answers to Lucifer, some old texts show Astaroth as a rival to Beelzebub, showing how demons compete for power over human souls.

In the Book of Abramelin, Astaroth is listed as one of the Eight Sub-Princes, which means his power covers certain territories as well as ranking. He is said to rule over large ‘estates’ in the spiritual world.

Mystical Correspondences

Attribute	Details
Planet	Venus (formerly), now associated with Mercury or Jupiter
Zodiac Sign	Capricorn or Libra
Element	Air (occasionally Earth)
Direction	West
Color	Brown or Copper
Number	29 or 8
Crystal/Mineral	Lapis Lazuli or Turquoise
Metal	Copper or Tin
Herb/Plant	Juniper or Sage
Animal	Viper or Dragon

Astaroth’s cosmic connections come from his change from a heavenly goddess to a demon duke. He was linked to Venus because of his roots as Astarte, the morning star. But in demonology, he is often connected to Mercury because he teaches sciences and shares secrets. This change shows his clever use of Mercurial energy to spread laziness and confusion.

Astaroth is also linked to the Air element, which matches his foul breath and his power to move unseen through people’s thoughts. Air is tied to the mind, where Astaroth is most effective at planting ideas of laziness.

Copper was used in old talismans as a way to connect to his ancient ties with Venus. The West is also important for Astaroth, linking him to the setting sun and the coming darkness of the spirit world.

Astaroth’s Sigil

Astaroth’s sigil is a complex geometric symbol used in Solomonic magic to show his unique essence. In the past, people believed that drawing the sigil on paper or metal could make Astaroth appear. Magicians would wear the sigil as a protective breastplate, called a Lamen, to show authority over the demon and protect themselves from his harmful breath.

Summoning and Rituals

In the past, calling on Astaroth was considered a complex and risky undertaking. Magicians, warlocks, and occult students performed these rituals to find forbidden knowledge or lost things. The ceremonies were usually done at certain times linked to his ruling planets. They always used a magic circle to protect the person performing the ritual.

A key part of these rituals was the ring of Solomon. The Ars Goetia says the person summoning Astaroth had to hold the ring to their nose to filter the air, because Astaroth’s presence carried a foul odor that could harm their organs.

The goal of these rituals was not to worship Astaroth, but to force him to answer questions truthfully by using the names of God. These practices were written about in forbidden books from the 16th and 17th centuries, and the Church often condemned anyone who tried to make deals with the Duke of Sloth.

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Frequently Asked Questions