As elusive as their infernal sovereign, demons have traversed the centuries, leaving their mark on religious, philosophical, and literary writings. Since Antiquity, they have haunted sacred texts, appeared in theological treatises, and fueled popular imagination. Sometimes seen as malevolent entities destined to corrupt souls, or as remnants of a cosmic rebellion led by Lucifer himself, they inspire both fear and fascination. Their influence is such that the greatest scholars have tried to classify them, name them, organize their hierarchy, and assign them specific roles, powers, and characteristics. From Kabbalistic tradition to medieval demonology treatises, from witchcraft grimoires to esoteric tales, the figure of the demon has continuously evolved, reflecting the anxieties and obsessions of each era.
In this first major illustrated history of demonology, the author offers a detailed exploration of this dark facet of human knowledge. Beyond iconic figures such as Asmodeus, Beelzebub, Baal, or Moloch, he also focuses on the men who, over time, claimed to possess secret knowledge of these beings: occultists, exorcists, theologians, and scholars who, through their writings and practices, helped shape our perception of evil.
With a rich iconography drawn from the most extensive collections of art and ancient manuscripts, this work reveals the many faces of the infernal legions through the ages. Paintings, engravings, sculptures, medieval illuminations, and demonic prints illustrate how these entities have been represented and feared. From the Middle Ages to the contemporary era, from Christian iconography to occult traditions, from possession stories to popular legends, the book lifts the veil on the fundamental role of the demon in the history of thought and art.
Luxuriously illustrated and richly documented, it offers an unprecedented dive into the realm of shadows, revealing the enduring influence of the devil and his servants on beliefs, culture, and the collective imagination.
