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[[File:Solomon-Demon.jpg|300px|thumb|King Solomon summoning the demon [[Belial]]]] | [[File:Solomon-Demon.jpg|300px|thumb|King Solomon summoning the demon [[Belial]]]] | ||
The '''Testament of Solomon''' is a pseudepigraphical composite text ascribed to [[King Solomon]] but not regarded as canonical scripture by [[Judaism|Jewish]] or [[Christianity|Christian]] groups. | The '''''Testament of Solomon''''' is a pseudepigraphical composite text ascribed to [[King Solomon]] but not regarded as canonical scripture by [[Judaism|Jewish]] or [[Christianity|Christian]] groups. | ||
The book was written in the Greek language, based on precedents dating back to the early 1000AD, but was likely not completed in any meaningful textual sense until sometime in the medieval period. In its most noteworthy recensions, the text describes how Solomon was enabled to build his temple by commanding demons by means of a magical ring that was entrusted to him by [[Archangel Michael]]. | The book was written in the Greek language, based on precedents dating back to the early 1000AD, but was likely not completed in any meaningful textual sense until sometime in the medieval period. In its most noteworthy recensions, the text describes how Solomon was enabled to build his temple by commanding demons by means of a magical ring that was entrusted to him by [[Archangel Michael]]. | ||
==Contents== | ==Contents== | ||
The key narrative of the testament is a story about a [[demon]] named [[Ornias]] harassing a young man by stealing half of his pay and sucking out his vitality through the thumb on his right hand. In response, Solomon prays in the temple and receives from Archangel Michael a ring with the seal of [[Yahweh|God]] (in the shape of a Pentagram) on it which will enable him to command the demons. Solomon lends the ring to the lad who, by throwing the ring at the demon Ornias, stamps him with the seal and brings him under control. Then Solomon orders the demon Ornias to take the ring and similarly imprint the prince of demons, [[Beelzebul]]. | The key narrative of the testament is a story about a [[demon]] named [[Ornias]] harassing a young man by stealing half of his pay and sucking out his vitality through the thumb on his right hand. In response, Solomon prays in the temple and receives from Archangel Michael a ring with the seal of [[Yahweh|God]] (in the shape of a Pentagram) on it which will enable him to command the demons. Solomon lends the ring to the lad who, by throwing the ring at the demon Ornias, stamps him with the seal and brings him under control. Then Solomon orders the demon Ornias to take the ring and similarly imprint the prince of demons, [[Beelzebub|Beelzebul]]. | ||
With Beelzebul under his command, Solomon now has all of the demons at his bidding to build the temple. Beelzebul reveals that he was formerly the highest ranking angel in Heaven. | With Beelzebul under his command, Solomon now has all of the demons at his bidding to build the temple. Beelzebul reveals that he was formerly the highest ranking angel in Heaven. | ||
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==Influences== | ==Influences== | ||
The Babylonian Talmud (in Gittin 68) mentions a similar story where Solomon enslaves [[Ashmodai]], Prince of the Demons, to build the Temple, and he was disposed of temporarily by him. | The Babylonian Talmud (in Gittin 68) mentions a similar story where Solomon enslaves [[Asmoday|Ashmodai]], Prince of the Demons, to build the Temple, and he was disposed of temporarily by him. | ||
The most obvious Greek influence is Solomon's encounter with seven demons who are sisters. They introduce themselves to the king and describe their home among the stars and Mount Olympus. The seven demon-sisters represent the Pleiades of Greek mythology and their astrological relationship. | The most obvious Greek influence is Solomon's encounter with seven demons who are sisters. They introduce themselves to the king and describe their home among the stars and Mount Olympus. The seven demon-sisters represent the Pleiades of Greek mythology and their astrological relationship. | ||
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==Demons== | ==Demons== | ||
Many of the demons in Solomon's encounters are of Greek, Egyptian, Jewish, Christian, Arabic, and other traditions. The majority of the testament consists of Solomon's interviews with the demons, some of which are grotesque, including one which has no head | Many of the demons in Solomon's encounters are of Greek, Egyptian, Jewish, Christian, Arabic, and other traditions. The majority of the testament consists of Solomon's interviews with the demons, some of which are grotesque, including one which has no head. Most of the demons are otherwise unknown by name from other works. The demon [[Abezethibou]] is said to have hardened the pharaoh's heart, rather than [[Yahweh]]. | ||
The demons, listed in order of appearance, are Ornias, Beelzeboul, Onoskelis, [[Asmoday|Asmodeus]], Tephras, the 7 star sisters (a reference to the Pleiades), Envy, Rabdos, Rath, Tribolaios, Obizuth, the wingdragon, Enepsigos, Kunopaston, an unnamed "lustful spirit", the [[Egyptian decans|36 spirits of the decans]], Ephippas, Abizithibod. | The demons, listed in order of appearance, are [[Ornias]], [[Beelzebub|Beelzeboul]], Onoskelis, [[Asmoday|Asmodeus]], Tephras, the 7 star sisters (a reference to the Pleiades), Envy, Rabdos, Rath, Tribolaios, Obizuth, the wingdragon, Enepsigos, Kunopaston, an unnamed "lustful spirit", the [[Egyptian decans|36 spirits of the decans]], Ephippas, Abizithibod. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||