Astaroth is an infernal duke in early modern European demonology. Johann Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, entry 28, and the Goetia, spirit 29, describe his office and appearance within their spirit catalogues.
The duke in the grimoires
Weyer’s description gives Astaroth an angel-like form riding an infernal dragon, with a viper in his right hand. He commands forty legions. The catalogue attributes to him answers about the past, present and future, the disclosure of secrets, and instruction in the liberal sciences.
The same entry says that he discusses the creation and fall of spirits while claiming that his own fall was unjust. These are statements made within a demonological text, rather than independent accounts of an angel’s history.
Astaroth and Asteraoth
The similarly spelled Asteraoth has a different role in the Testament of Solomon: a name that frustrates a destructive spirit. Comparing the passages preserves their different literary settings without turning every similar name into the same figure.
Explore related entries
Read Asmodeus, Belial, browse the name directory, or explore the guide to source traditions.