~ * 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)
Beautiful piece and an informative read also. I love to see an artist thinking! How long have you been in theology school? :) V!
Beautiful image and scene. vote
Excellent, Ori! :o)
I'm as newly educated as I am amazed at this piece! I've been feeling the fire lately, so this image hits home hard for me! Astounding composition and realization of my Boss! lol! Interesting concept and myth of the several Hierarchies; somewhere I read there were 666 planes of Hell, each with a separate rule and sub-council members which dealt in different punishments. Very interesting, and superb artwork once again! I'm breaking out my hotdogs and enjoying this one! VVVVVV*
As is most of your work this is awesome and full of details. He looks a little like the actor Brad Pitt (the one in the center). Deep angel lore I find refreshing.
Awesome!!!! Love the details and colors =0)
Super image! great characters and scene! Awesome work!
Superb work!!!
Wow. Outstanding!
Awesome image! Excellent work. :D
Awesome image, and interesting facts! Excellent!
Wonderful work Ori .. have a great weekend ~ Annette
Ezcellent work.
Davvero un trio pieno di brio !!!!!! Quello centrale sicuramente il pipericoloso (modellopsicopatico/cultista)e il piinteressante !!!!! Very very cool !!!! ;-D
Excellent characters, Orietta! Very well done!
perfect fantasy scene with excellent characters, poses and colours VOTE
A cool and fantastic render!!!Excellent work :)
Three powerful demons but I think I'll take the middle one - he's amazing! Gorgeous image, full of darkness and fire. :o) CC
simaltaneously gorgeous and terrifying Orietta! Wow.
Brillant work! Wonderful character, I can't wait to see him released!
A wickedly cool creation! I love it.
Beautiful image Orietta!!!! He's a very sexy devil ;-) I will SO want this character hahaha
What a wickedly sexy guy!
Excellent image. WOnderful work. Bye Bye Chris...
Superb work! Cool DARK image!
Fantastic scene. Great image!!
:o - I should have known... if there is an azure prince there must be a crimson one as well! Fantastic image as always!!!
WOW!!!! Excellent depth and color!!
Outstanding realization of a very interesting idea! Great job!!
I just so awed by your work! And this piece just awes me more!