~ * Hierarchy of demons * ~ by luciferino
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
^_^ ok some new mythos and theologic information for you all :-) smack kisses Orietta
Hierarchy of demons
In early Christian theology, Satan or the Devil was seen as chief of all other demons. But soon this changed and Hell was divided in several hierarchies. This was presumably due to the division of angels in hierarchies or choirs taken from Judaism (see angelology), and as demons were angels before, their organisation had to be similar.
During the Middle Ages, many other schema were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely different classifications. One of these divisions is offered by Sebastian Michaelis, who divided demons in three hierarchies (first, second and third), not making allusion to their rulers (see Michaelis' classification of demons).
Soon this division took another sense, and nobility titles were granted to demons as if they were part of an earthly monarchy. Demons were Great Marshals, Knights, Presidents, Great Presidents, Earls, Great Earls, Dukes, Great Dukes, Marquises, Great Marquises, Princes, Great Princes, Kings, Great Kings, and the ruler of all them the Emperor. As in the earth, some of them had more than one title. Curiously the titles of Baronet, Baron, Viscount and Viceroy were not used. It is unclear if Earl was used as a synonym of Count, or with the ancient meaning of Eorl (Old English for 'nobleman, Prince, Warlord, chief of soldiers'), because the Latin term 'comes' has both meanings. Other hierarchies mention physicians, superintendents, demons in charge of keeping the fire of Hell lit, etc. The rest of the demons were divided in legions.
Several grimoires used to name demons by their nobility titles, among them The Great Book of Saint Cyprian, Le Dragon Rouge, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and The Lesser Key of Solomon, that were inspired by previous works. Later these books inspired more writings.
Analysis
In Christian demonology, Hell is treated as a Mediaeval or Renaissance earthly kingdom, and this shows the imagination of those authors that assigned titles of nobility to some demons that even had attendants, dividing the rest in legions. Perhaps the division in legions was inspired by Mark 5:9, when a demon was asked his name and answered "Legion, because we are many". The word 'legion' could have inspired the military hierarchy, and the fact that Satan was called Prince of this World more than once (i.e. in John 12:31 and 14:30) could have inspired the conception of the hellish nobility.
More, theoretically physicians are not necessary in Hell, being demons spiritual entities. This idea seems to have been inspired by the story of the angel Raphael, "God's medicine", healing Tobias in the apocryphal Book of Tobit, but Raphael was intended to heal humans, not angels. Plutarch wrote that demons could get sick, and this may also have influenced some Christian demonologists.
QUAN DEL DIABLO for M3 and D3 soon by luciferino and Malefic
Mystic Pose and Places 6 by danie and Marfono
Background by Antje and Bez
Postwork PS7
Big big kisses at all smack Orietta
Comments (80)
Excellent image great characters and FX AWWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, fantastic image! Excellent!
For the guy in the middle, I'd be very, very bad! Excellent work, Hon! hugs Ish
Ori, this is amazing.
What absolutely powerful image... top ranks! (V)
He is wonderful beautiful work!!! Excellent!! V
Impressive work!!! Well done! :)
Superb postwork!! Excellent job my friend Ori!! Hugs, PJ
outstanding image, very impressive!
Il testo dai a capire che hai dovuto fare un gran lavoro di investigazione della tua parte, e sii istruito in maniera impressionante!!!! V
All I can say is WOW what a yummy way to go. He's stunning. Excellent+++
DAMN ARE YOU THE GREATEST! YOUR VERY TALENTED AND A GREAT DESIGNER! MORE PLEASE. HE ROCKS, LOVE THAT HAIR!!!!!
it's beyond perfect. It's the very portrait i've been looking for. In a clean and believable fashion you've managed to make me want to sell my soul.
spectaculairrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....vote.
Superb image Ori, fantastic characters :)
Very owesome work. Like the lights, and the work done on the models. Maybe a little more of an expression on the center guy, but this is very owesome work. The tone, and view, and the theme itself, and of course the story are very well put together.
Gorgeous work! Keep rockin, girl!
Fantastic Image! And Cool Story...Well Done!!!
Absolutely incredible!!!!!! Such a wonderful array of Demons, shown off as only you can do it sweetie :-) {{{Hugs}}}
Beautiful work, Ori!!! Your characters are the very best!!! I love the postwork that you do-perfect hair in this one!!!!! EXCELLENT work!!!! Vote!!!!
Wonderful image, excellent work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FABULOUS IMAGE!!! Those characters are amazing - what a showcase of gorgeous demons!
Fantastic picture. All of them look absolutly great...
This is very cool, I love the history you find with your pictures too! And that guy in the middle. He's extra hot! :) Hugs!
Wodnerfully Dangerous!
So wonderfully Evil. :O)
I LOVE THISSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! This is fabulous!!!!!!
Oh great, you've met my lawyers.
Incredible! I love the different facets to your image plus the fact you've added information on the Hierarchy of demons. Brought together, you've achieved so much depth in your art. Exceptional artwork and V, and Smacks too! ;)
Excellent image and words Ori :-) Very well done!!!