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{{Short description|Great duke of Hell in demonology}}
{{other uses|Astaroth: Book of Angels Volume 1|Astaroth (Soulcalibur)}}
{{distinguish|Ashteroth Karnaim|Ashtoreth|Ataroth|Azathoth|Azeroth}}
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[[File:Astaroth.jpg|right|thumb|Astaroth illustration from the ''[[Dictionnaire Infernal]]'' (1818)]]
[[File:Astaroth Seal.svg|thumb|Seal of Astaroth, as depicted in ''[[The Lesser Key of Solomon]]'']]
'''Astaroth''' (also '''Ashtaroth''', '''Astarot''' and '''Asteroth'''), in [[demonology]], is known to be the Great Duke of [[Hell]] in the first hierarchy with [[Beelzebub]] and [[Lucifer]]; he is part of the evil trinity. He is known to be a male figure, most likely named after the unrelated [[Religions of the ancient Near East|Near Eastern]] goddess [[Astarte]].
== Background ==
The name ''Astaroth'' was ultimately derived from that of 2nd millennium BC [[Phoenicia]]n goddess [[Astarte]],<ref name="Goetia">Lon Milo DuQuette and Christopher S. Hyatt. ''Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia'' (1992). New Falcon: Temple, AZ, USA, p. 52.</ref> an equivalent of the Babylonian [[Ishtar]], and the earlier Sumerian [[Inanna]]. She is mentioned in the [[Hebrew Bible]] in the forms ''Ashtoreth'' (singular) and ''Ashtaroth'' (plural, in reference to multiple statues of it). This latter form was directly transliterated in the early Greek and Latin versions of the Bible, where it was less apparent that it had been a plural feminine in Hebrew. Otherwise, the male demon ''Astaroth'' is entirely unrelated to the benevolent goddess ''Ashtoreth''.<ref name="Goetia"/>
==Appearances in literature==
The name "Astaroth" as a male demon is first seen in ''[[The Book of Abramelin]]'', purportedly written in [[Hebrew]] {{circa|1458}}, and recurred in most [[occult]] [[grimoires]] of the following centuries. Astaroth also features as an [[archdemon]] associated with the ''[[qlippoth]]'' (adverse forces) according to later [[Kabbalistic]] texts, as he rules over the qlippa of Jupiter, known as [[Gha'agsheblah]].
Dutch demonologist [[Johann Weyer]] also described Astaroth in his ''[[Pseudomonarchia Daemonum]]'' (1577) thus: "Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, coming forth in the shape of a foul angel, sitting upon an infernal dragon, and carrying on his left hand a viper", who also claimed to rule 40 legions. Additionally, he had to be approached by the conjurer with a magical ring on account.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/weyer.htm#par28|title=Johann Weyer, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum|work=esotericarchives.com}}</ref> He is similarly referred to in the 17th-century work ''[[The Lesser Key of Solomon]]''. He also makes an appearance in the notorious ''[[Grimorium Verum]]'' (''True Grimoire''), as the infernal principality which rules the Americas.
According to some [[demonology|demonologists]] of the 16th century, August is the month during which this demon's attacks against man are stronger. According to [[Sebastien Michaelis]], he is a [[demonology|demon]] of the First Hierarchy, who seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies. His adversary is St. [[Bartholomew]], who can protect against him for he has resisted Astaroth's "temptations". To others, he teaches [[mathematical]] sciences and handicrafts, can make men invisible and lead them to hidden treasures, and answers every question formulated to him. He was also said to give to mortal beings the power over serpents.
Was mentioned as a co-signatory of a Diabolical pact with [[Urban Grandier]].
According to [[Francis Barrett (occultist)|Francis Barrett]] ({{circa| 1801}}), Astaroth is the prince of accusers and inquisitors. In art, in the ''[[Dictionnaire Infernal]]'' (1818), Astaroth is depicted as a nude man with feathered wings, wearing a crown, holding a [[Serpent (symbolism)|serpent]] in one hand, and riding a beast with [[dragon]]-like wings and a serpent-like tail.
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==Appearances in film==
{{Main|Astaroth in popular culture}}
Ashtaroth is one of three demons summoned by Faustus to attack Benvolio in ''[[Doctor Faustus (play)|Doctor Faustus]]''.
The "Star of Astoroth" features prominently in the 1971 Disney film ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]'', where it takes the form of a magical medallion.
Astaroth is named in the 1976 Hammer horror film ''[[To the Devil a Daughter]]''.
In the 1920 silent horror film ''[[The Golem: How He Came into the World]]'', [[Judah Loew ben Bezalel|Rabbi Loew]] and his assistant summon Astaroth to animate the [[Golem]] resulting in deadly and destructive results.
Astaroth also appears in the 2007 television series ''[[Blood Ties (TV series)|Blood Ties]]'', with his symbol displayed in the first few episodes.
The Solomonic seal of Astaroth makes an appearance in the 2017 film ''[[Pyewacket (film)|Pyewacket]]''.
Astaroth symbolism is also prevalent in the 2018 film ''[[Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made]]'', and a symbol of Astaroth appears in the movie over 170 times.
Astaroth is the title character in "Astaroth"/"Astaroth Female Demon", a film by the Brazilian director Larissa Anzoategui. The name of the company that made the film is also "Astaroth Produções"
Astaroth appears as the main antagonist of the 2022 movie ''[[R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned]]''.
==See also==
{{Portal|Religion}}
* [[Asherah]]
* [[Atargatis]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Sources==
* S. L. MacGregor Mathers, A. Crowley, ''[[The Goetia|The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King]]'' (1904). 1995 reprint: {{ISBN|0-87728-847-X}}.
== External links ==
* {{Commons category inline}}
* {{Wiktionary inline|Astaroth}}
{{Demons in the Ars Goetia}}
{{Demons in Pseudomonarchia Daemonum}}
[[Category:Astarte]]
[[Category:Deities in the Hebrew Bible]]
[[Category:Goetic demons]]
[[Category:Qlippoth]]