Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In  today’s video, we’re going to discuss the nine  

Kings of Hell. We’re going to examine each  king one at a time, but before we dive into  

these nine malignant, maleficent, and malevolent  masters, we’re going to start off with a quick  

preface that speaks to the source on which this  video is based, and to the many conceptualizations  

that define the demonic hierarchy given  by various sources over the centuries. 

Let’s get into it. The video is based on ‘The Lesser Key of Solomon’,  

which is a grimoire on demonology that  was put together in the 17th century.  

Though the author is unknown and the book seems  to be based on information already compiled and  

circulated in previous centuries, it has remained  a seminal work of demonology. In ‘The Lesser Key  

of Solomon, about half the pages are dedicated to  codifying 72 demonic entities of Hell’s hierarchy.  

There is an individual entry for each of the  72 entities in which their rank, appearance,  

and power is outlined, as well as how to invoke  them through summoning and binding. The hierarchy  

comprises seven tiers: nine kings, 23 Dukes, seven  princes, 15 marquises, 14 presidents, 10 earls,  

and one knight. Some demonic entities occupy  more than one rank, which is why the hierarchy in  

the aggregate features more than 72 entries, the  number of demonic entities discussed in the book. 

Concerning the number of demonic kings, you  may be familiar with a different number,  

likely seven, and with different demons. This  is because there are many, many sources that  

define the upper echelons of Hell’s hierarchy.  For example, in the ‘Treatise on confessions  

by Evildoers and Witches’, a classification  prepared by Peter Binsfels, a German theologian,  

near the end of the 16th century, there  are seven princes, or kings, of hell,  

each of them associated with one of the seven  deadly sins. They are: Lucifer, pride, Mammon,  

greed, Asmodeus, lust, Leviathan, envy, Beelzebub,  gluttony, Satan, wrath, and Belphegor, sloth. 

And just one final comment before we dive into  the list: you will hear the word ‘exorcist’ said  

many times. In the context of ‘The Lesser Key of  Solomon’, exorcist means someone conjuring evil  

spirits with the intent of harnessing their  demonic power, not referring to benevolent,  

God-fearing priests endeavoring to expel hellish  forces from the bodies of possessed victims. 

Starting us off is Bael. The first spirit, Bael,  

rules in the East. He can assume many diverse  shapes, appearing as a man, as a toad,  

as a cat, or as an amalgamation of all three.  He speaks hoarsely, can turn people invincible,  

and governs 66 legions of demons. Up next we have Paimon. 

The ninth spirit, Paimon, is very obedient to  Lucifer. His appearance is that of a man riding  

a camel with a resplendent crown atop his head.  A spirit troupe of musicians - trumpets, cymbals,  

all sorts of instruments in this  odious orchestra - is his harbinger.  

His voice is both booming and unintelligible,  so he cannot be understood unless compelled.  

All arts and sciences, and many secret things,  are his to teach. His hidden knowledge includes:  

what the earth is and how it remains buoyant in  water, and what and where the mind is. Nothing  

is hidden from him, so he can answer any question  one desires the answer to. He can bind any person  

to another, making them subservient. Many good  familiars can he grant. Those who seek to invoke  

him must do so while facing West; offerings  must be made; and when he appears, two kings,  

Label and Abalem, and 25 legions will be in his  train. He governs 200 legions of demons. 

At number 3 we have Beleth. The 13th spirit,  

Beleth rides a pale horse, and trumpets and many  other instruments herald him everywhere he goes.  

Upon first being summoned by an exorcist, a  furious mood will be upon him. The exorcist  

must draw on all their courage and resolve  so as to not become daunted or discomposed.  

Here’s the passage that delineates the necessary  steps for a successful encounter: “a hazel wand in  

his hand, striking out towards the South and East  Quarters, make a triangle … without the circle,  

and then command him into it by the bonds and  charges of spirits as hereafter followeth. And  

if he doth not enter into the triangle … at your  threats, rehearse the bonds and charms before him,  

and then he will yield obedience and come into  it, and do what he is commanded by the exorcist.``  

Beyond those instructions, others, too, must be  heeded: receive him with courtesy, pay homage to  

him, and make sure a silver ring is on the middle  finger of your left hand, and that your left hand  

is held against your face. Once brought forth,  Beleth manifests every possible love and pleasure  

until the exorcist’s desires have been  satisfied. He governs 85 legions of demons. 

Up next we have Purson. The 20th spirit, Purson’s appearance  

is insidious: of a comely look that belies his  true nature, one utterly saturated with evil,  

every fiber black and fraught with corruption, as  are the other eight entries. He looks like a man  

with a lion’s face, and though not appearing  entirely human, he is fair to look upon;  

only a cruel viper grasped in his hands warns  of what lurks beneath the surface. A fierce and  

feral bear serves as his mount, and the bray  of trumpets precedes him everywhere he goes.  

The depths of his knowledge gives the impression  of near omniscience. Here’s the description:  

“He knoweth all things hidden, and can discover  treasure, and tell all things past, present,  

and to come. He can take a body either Human or  Aerial, and answereth truly of all earthly things  

both secret and divine, and of the creation of  the world.” Many good familiars can he bestow,  

and he governs 22 legions of demons. At number 5 we have Asmoday. 

The 32nd spirit, Asmoday, another name for  Asmodeus, is described as a king characterized  

by greatness, strength, and power. He has  three heads: that of a bull, that of a man,  

and that of a ram. He has the treacherous tail of  a serpent. Gouts of flame shoot from his mouth.  

And his feet are webbed like those of a goose.  He rides a hellish dragon and wields a lance with  

a banner near the tip. Unlike the other Demons  considered kings in the ‘Lesser Key of Solomon’,  

it is written that Asmoday is subordinate to  Amaymon, under whom he is the first and choicest.  

When calling on him, the exorcist must ensure that  the conjuring takes place abroad. Furthermore, it  

is imperative that Asmoday stand on his own feet  and remove any cap or headdress, elsewise Amaymon  

will taint the process with his deceptiveness.  Once Asmoday can be seen in his bestial form,  

the exorcist must say “art thou Asmoday?” He  cannot deny his identity when asked directly,  

and he will bow down on the ground. Wicked  though he is, he has much to give and teach,  

such as: the arts of Arithmetic,  Astronomy, Geometry, and all handicrafts;  

as well, Invisibility and hidden treasures are  his to bestow. He governs 72 legions of demons. 

Up next we have Vine. The 45th spirit, Vine,  

is described as an earl in addition to  being a king. In the form of a great lion  

he rides upon a black horse and grasps a viper  in his fist. The purview of his office includes:  

the discovery of secret things, magic wielders,  like wizards and witches, and in a temporal sense,  

virtually anything, as things past, present,  and future are of great import to him. His  

powers can be harnessed to devastating  effect by an exorcist who conjures him.  

When subdued and channeled, his black arts  can erect stout towers, reduce walls of stone  

to rubble, and unleash tempests to churn  the seas. He governs 36 legions of demons. 

At number 7 we have Balam. The 51st spirit, Balam, is  

described as a terrible, great, and powerful king.  He has three heads: that of a bull, that of a man,  

and that of a ram; and he has a serpent’s tail and  flaming eyes. A hunting hawk rests on his fist,  

and a huge, furious bear serves as his mount.  With his hoarse voice he uses his deep knowledge  

to impart true answers, exhuming the past,  elucidating the present, and prognosticating  

the future. People who curry favour with him  may be endowed with preternatural gifts, like  

superlative wit, and with supernatural gifts, like  invisibility. He controls 40 legions of demons. 

Up next we have Zagan. The 61st spirit, Zagan, often takes  

the form of a bull with griffin’s wings, though he  sometimes cloaks himself in man’s skin and takes  

human shape. His powers include bestowing wit and  wisdom, transmuting liquids, specifically, wine  

into water, blood into wine, and water into wine,  and metallurgical alchemy, this last allowing him  

to transform inexpensive metal into gold and  silver coins. He governs 33 legions of demons. 

Our final entry is Belial. The 68th spirit, Belial,  

was created early on, second only to Lucifer.  In form, he appears as a pair of sublime angels  

seated in a chariot of fire. With his imperious  and melodious voice, he claims to be the first  

to have fallen from heaven, plummeting to  the infernal depths from the glorious realm  

in which he once resided. Furthermore, he claims  to have fallen from the loftiest of stations,  

one even more worthy and ancient than Michael  and the other heavenly angels can boast.  

He is the giver of gifts, bestowing wealth and  prestige; but take care, for only falsities and  

twisted boons that thwart their receivers will  he impart unless he is appeased by the exorcist  

with gifts and sacrifices. He gives excellent  familiars, and he governs 50 demonic legions. 

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