Template:Character Asmodeus in demonology is a powerful Jewish biblical demon, belonging to the hierarchy of Satan's demons.
History[]
Its origin probably derives from the contraction of the Iranian Aeshma Daeva. The figure is in fact mentioned for the first time in very ancient Babylonian and Chaldean mythological traditions of Parsism and Zoroastrianism.
Asmodeus is best known to us thanks to the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit. He is mentioned both in numerous Talmudic legends and in the Jewish demonological tradition, according to which Asmodeus was defeated by King Solomon, who forced him to build the famous Temple for him.
The etymology of the name is disputed. It seems to derive from the Persian ashma daeva, perhaps spirit of judgement, or from Aeshma-daeva, spirit of fury, an expression often used in ancient magical formulas, in reference to the prince of demons. For others, Asmodeus descends from the Aramaic as'medi, meaning destroyer, as can be seen from the Book of Tobit. In Zoroastrian literature itself, the seven Aeshma-daeva spirits were however contrasted with seven corresponding sacred texts.
Asmodeus is considered not only the demon of destruction, but also the lord of greed, anger, discord and revenge; it is rare, therefore, for a man to have this name imposed on him.
The famous Dutch demonologist Wierus placed him as a very powerful king of the underworld, almost on a par with Lucifer and Satan. He was associated with Lucifer above all for his rebellious character and his definitive choice for darkness. For others, Asmodeus is the same serpent who seduced Eve. Other similar traditions also associate him with Lilith, the legendary rebellious wife of Adam before Eve, who, condemned to exile from Eden, united with this demon.
Some peoples of ancient Egypt venerated Asmodeus as the protector of gambling, and even dedicated a temple to him in the Ryanneh desert. Judaism itself will be able to confuse some good spirits with bad ones, according to the tradition inherited from Zoroastrian dualism, and drive the latter away only through powerful exorcism rites.