Agares: The Duke of Hell Who Commands Earthquakes

Agares, frequently known as the Second Spirit of the Goetia, is cataloged as a Mighty Duke ruling the Eastern portion of the infernal realm. He is one of the 72 spirits traditionally said to have been bound by King Solomon into a brass vessel.

The Duke is often portrayed in different magical texts as a skilled communicator who can understand and use many languages. He is also known for his ability to control movement and influence people’s situations, leading a large group of powerful spirits.

Unlike many other high-ranking demons, he looks like an elderly, fair-skinned man riding a magnificent creature, which gives him an air of authority rather than fear. This quality sets him apart from others in his rank.

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Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Name	Agares, Agreas, Aguares, Agarat, Agaros, Agarus
Title	Duke, Grand Duke
Gender	Male
Origin	Fallen Angel, originally of the Angelic Order of Virtues (Ordo Virtutum)
Appearance	An old fair man (or Lord), mild in appearance, riding upon a large Crocodile (or Cockatrice), and carrying a Goshawk (or Peregrine falcon) upon his fist
Hierarchy	Duke, the Second Principal Spirit of the Lesser Key of Solomon
Superior Demon	Oriens (The King of the East), Lucifuge Rofocale (in some traditions)
Servitors	Thirty-one Legions of Spirits (or 36 in earlier texts)
Associated Figures	King Solomon (who confined him), Oriens (Eastern Ruler)
Powers	Teaches all languages/tongues instantly, causes runaways to return, makes those who stand still run, destroys dignities both spiritual and temporal, and causes earthquakes
Weaknesses	Subordinate to the authority of the exorcist using the correct Divine Name (Tetragrammaton) and the consecrated Lamen (Seal of the Spirit)
Opposing Angel/Saint	The Shemhamphorasch Angel Jelial (Ieliel)
Equipment/Tools	Carries a Goshawk upon his fist, rides a Crocodile or Cockatrice
Pantheon	Christian Demonology, Goetic Tradition (Lesser Key of Solomon)
Notable Myths	Mentioned in the Lesser Key of Solomon (Goetia), the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, and the Livre des Esperitz

Etymology

The origin of the name is not completely clear, and there isn’t a straightforward link to Hebrew, Latin, or Greek that explains what this name means in connection to its role as a demon. Like many names in the Goetic list, it might be a version of an older name or title that has been changed over time and comes from a lesser-known tradition in the Near East or Europe.

One interesting idea is that there may be a connection to the Greek word “ángaros,” meaning “mounted courier” or “messenger.” This Greek word may have come from an older Iranian term that means “the praise-singer” or “herald.”

If this connection holds, the name Agares might reflect the spirit’s office of being a swift intermediary, a function supported by his power to teach languages instantaneously and to command movement (making the static run and the runners return).

However, this potential etymology is not universally accepted. Within the grimoires themselves, the demon is also known as Agreas and Aguares, which further complicates any attempt to trace the name to a single, verifiable linguistic source.

What Does the Demon Agares Look Like?

The primary sources of Goetic demonology are highly consistent in their description of Agares, presenting a visual image that is both commanding and unusual within the typical iconography of the infernal host.

The demon is most often depicted as an old, fair man, usually portrayed as a venerable lord or distinguished nobleman. The Ars Goetia focuses on the fact that, despite his formidable powers, he appears with a mildness in his countenance, suggesting an outward demeanor of composure and authority rather than brute malice.

The most striking components of his physical manifestation are his two associated animals. He is consistently seen riding on a crocodile, a massive reptile symbolic of ancient power, concealment, and danger in various traditions.

In some accounts, such as The Book of the Office of Spirits, the crocodile is substituted for a cockatrice, a legendary two-legged serpent or dragon with fatal sight.

Agares is also portrayed with a Goshawk perched on his arm. This bird of prey is known for its speed and hunting skills, which add to the symbolism of strength and energy associated with the crocodile it is linked to.

The hawk also represents nobility and high status, which fits with Agares’ title as a Duke. He is often described as being able to walk on two legs. He can appear when called upon by someone knowledgeable, highlighting that his main form is that of a strong spirit connected to the earth.

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Historical and Mythological Background

Agares is a figure known mainly from ceremonial magic traditions, especially in grimoires created during the late Renaissance. These texts focus on summoning and controlling spirits, drawing inspiration from the biblical King Solomon.

Interestingly, the demon doesn’t appear in the main religious texts of Judaism or Christianity. Instead, his story is shaped by his role within a hierarchy of demons.

Agares in the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum

The earliest detailed record of Agares appears in Johann Weyer’s 1583 work, the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (False Monarchy of Demons), which served as a catalog for the spirits later adapted into the Lesser Key of Solomon.

In this text, Agares is identified as the First Duke under the power of the East. Weyer describes his visual form as that of a fair old man riding a crocodile and carrying a hawk in his fist.

His chief mythological role here is establishing the basis for his powers: teaching languages, fetching runaways, making the standing run, and possessing dominion over dignity and the earth itself. Weyer specifies that Agares had been of the Order of Virtues before his fall, linking him to a specific angelic rank.

The Second Spirit in The Lesser Key of Solomon (Goetia)

Agares is designated as the Second Principal Spirit in the Lesser Key of Solomon, a foundational text of Goetic magic compiled in the mid-17th century. His description here largely mirrors Weyer’s account. Still, it is framed within the context of a ceremonial summoning ritual that requires the practitioner to wear his specific Seal or Character, known as a Lamen, for protection and command.

The text focuses on his authority, stating he is under the Power of the East and governs 31 Legions of Spirits. This placement immediately following Bael, the First Principal Spirit, confirms his seniority and importance in the hierarchy available to the ceremonial magician.

The Dictionnaire Infernal Description

Jacques Collin de Plancy published an influential book, the Dictionnaire Infernal (Infernal Dictionary), in 1863, which helped shape how we view the demon in modern culture and occult practices.

In this book, de Plancy described Agares as a powerful Duke ruling over the eastern regions of Hell and commanding thirty-one legions of spirits. He also added some colorful details about the demon, depicting him as a Lord who rides a crocodile and holds a Peregrine falcon.

Importantly, the Dictionnaire also highlights Agares’ special abilities. He is said to teach people all languages, cause earthquakes, make runaway soldiers come back, and help defeat enemies. This reinforces his role as a symbol of movement and the pursuit of knowledge.

Historical Mentions

Text/Grimoire	Year	Excerpt
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (Johann Weyer)	1583	“Agares, or Agreas. The first Duke under the power of the East, is named Agares, he commeth up mildile in the likenes of a faire old man, riding upon a crocodile, and carrieng a hawke on his fist; hee teacheth presentlie all maner of toongs, he fetcheth backe all such as runne awaie, and maketh them and makes spirits of the earth dance, he overthroweth all dignities, both supernaturall and temporall, and is of the order of vertues, having under his regiment thirtie one legions.”
The Lesser Key of Solomon (Goetia)	Mid-17th Century (Compilation)	“The Second Spirit is a Duke called Agreas, or Agares. He is under the Power of the East, and cometh up in the form of an old fair Man, riding upon a Crocodile, carrying a Goshawk upon his fist, and yet mild in appearance. He maketh them to run that stand still, and bringeth back runaways. He teaches all Languages or Tongues presently. He hath power also to destroy Dignities both Spiritual and Temporal, and causeth Earthquakes.”
Dictionnaire Infernal (Jacques Collin de Plancy)	1863 (Revised Edition)	“Aguares, Grand Duc de la partie Orientale des enfers. Il est de l’ordre des Vertus et commande trente-une légions. Il apparaît sous la figure d’un Seigneur monté sur un crocodile, et tenant un faucon pèlerin sur son poing. Il fait revenir les déserteurs et peut défaire les ennemis. Il donne les dignités, enseigne toutes les langues et cause des tremblements de terre.”

Agares’ Powers and Abilities

Agares is distinguished from many other Goetic demons whose primary function is destruction or infliction. His powers focus instead on control, communication, and socio-political disruption. They are generally geared toward granting knowledge or manipulating the physical world and human relations to serve the summoner, but this assistance inherently leads to corruption.

The ability to teach all languages or tongues presently is his most frequently cited power. This is not simply knowledge acquisition but instantaneous linguistic mastery, which allows the practitioner to understand and communicate across all barriers, facilitating potentially deceptive or malicious contracts with entities or individuals.

The power to manipulate movement—to make them run that stand still and to bring back runaways—is a direct demonstration of his command over free will and physical movement. In a malevolent context, this ability can be used to compel adversaries to flee or to force victims to return to unfavorable or harmful situations against their will.

The ability to destroy dignities both spiritual and temporal represents his most sinister socio-political power. This means he can cause the sudden downfall of high-ranking individuals, whether they are political leaders (temporal) or religious figures (spiritual).

This power tempts and corrupts humans by fostering ambition and pride, allowing the summoner to dismantle the established order for personal gain. Furthermore, he is explicitly listed as a spirit who causes earthquakes, giving him direct control over large-scale natural disasters.

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Powers and Abilities Breakdown

Power/Ability	Description	Source	How It Tempts/Corrupts Humans
Instant Language Mastery	Grants immediate and perfect knowledge of all human languages and tongues.	Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum	Tempts by enabling perfect deception and communication for illicit purposes, fostering intellectual arrogance.
Destruction of Dignities	Has the power to dismantle and overthrow high-ranking political, social, and religious authority figures.	Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum	Corrupts by encouraging excessive ambition, pride, and the destructive desire for political or societal control.
Manipulation of Movement	Causes those who are stationary to run and compels runaways (deserters or fugitives) to return to their origin.	Ars Goetia, Dictionnaire Infernal	Corrupts the free will of others, enabling the summoner to control adversaries or coerce victims back into bondage.
Causation of Earthquakes	Can generate seismic activity and ground movement.	Ars Goetia, Dictionnaire Infernal	Tempts by offering the power to wield catastrophic natural forces, bypassing physical or military resistance.

How to Counter Agares’ Powers

As with all high-ranking spirits of the Goetia, Agares is considered powerful but subject to the will of the ceremonial magician who follows the proper ritual protocols. The countermeasures are based on divine authority, symbolic protection, and hierarchical control.

The most essential countermeasure against Agares’ influence is the use of his official Seal or Character, known as the Lamen. This symbol must be consecrated and worn by the practitioner, serving as a sign of King Solomon’s legendary authority, which originally bound the demon. Without the proper use of this sigil, the entity will not be compelled to obey and may be malicious.

Agares has a fundamental weakness that comes from the power of the Divine Name. Like all fallen angels, Agares is subject to powerful names associated with God, which are used in specific rituals. When someone calls upon these sacred names, they tap into a higher spiritual force that originally expelled the demon from its former place among angels.

The angel thought to counter Agares is Jelial (or Ieliel), who is linked to themes of fertility, passion, and the healing of relationships. This makes Jelial a powerful adversary to Agares, who can disrupt dignity and cause unexpected changes.

Invoking Jelial can potentially stabilize the situation or mitigate the demon’s destabilizing effects on political and social order. Additionally, general demonic weaknesses, such as the use of holy water, salt, or standing within a properly drawn Magic Circle, are used for physical protection during the summoning process.

Agares’ Role in the Hierarchy of Hell

Agares holds a significant and formal rank within the infernal structure described in the grimoires. He is consistently listed as a Duke, specifically the Second Principal Spirit in the Lesser Key of Solomon.

This position places him high among the 72 spirits available for evocation. His ducal rank signifies he is a commander, generally ranking above Marquises and Earls but below the Kings of Hell.

He is said to have originally belonged to the Order of Virtues (Ordo Virtutum), a celestial choir in Christian angelology associated with regulating the cosmos and performing miracles. His fall from this Order implies that his current demonic powers—such as causing earthquakes and destroying dignities—are perversions of his former celestial authority over the stability of the world.

Agares is known as a spirit associated with the East, which means he is under the authority of Oriens, who is often called Paimon. Oriens is considered the ruler of the Eastern part of Hell, and Agares shows loyalty to him, placing him in a specific group within this hierarchy.

In later writings, such as the Grand Grimoire, Agares is said to be under the control of Lucifuge Rofocale, who is referred to as the Prime Minister of Hell. This shows that different texts can present varying levels of power and organization among these spirits.

Astrological Associations and Symbolism

Agares’ powers and presence are closely tied to specific astrological and elemental forces, reflecting the common belief that demons are bound by celestial mechanics.

He is traditionally associated with the Zodiacal degrees of 5-9 of Aries, the sign of the Ram, which is linked to action, initiation, leadership, and martial energy. The 2 of Rods in the Tarot is often associated with him, symbolizing dominion and forceful, sometimes disruptive, action, reflecting his power to both compel and destroy dignities.

His ruling planet is cited as Venus, which is associated with beauty, art, and language, tying directly into his ability to teach tongues and his mild appearance. However, some traditions also link him to Mars or Mercury, given his functions of causing strife (Mars) and communication/movement (Mercury).

The element linked to Agares is often Earth, due to his command over earthquakes and his ability to make the spirits of the earth dance. His corresponding color is often given as Deep Blood Red or Crimson, reflecting his high rank and the martial aspects of his Zodiac sign, Aries.

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Astrological Associations

Attribute	Association/Details
Zodiac Sign	Aries (specifically 5-9 degrees)
Planet	Venus (or Mars/Mercury)
Element	Earth (due to seismic power) or Air/Fire
Tarot Card	2 of Rods (Dominion)
Direction	East (The Power of the East)
Metal	Copper (Traditional metal of Venus)
Color	Deep Blood Red, Crimson

Agares’ Sigil

The sigil of Agares is his unique seal or character, the material representation of his true name and essence. In the Goetic tradition, the successful command and binding of the demon are contingent on the correct engraving and consecration of this sigil, which is then worn by the practitioner as a Lamen—a protective breastplate.

The sigil serves as a metaphysical key, granting the summoner Solomon’s authority to command the Duke. Failure to create and wear the correct sigil is believed to leave the practitioner unprotected and subject to the demon’s wrath.

Agares’ sigil is composed of lines, angles, and symbols derived from his corresponding astrological and planetary square. The sigil is essential not just for protection but also for focusing the operator’s will to compel Agares to manifest and perform his specific duties, such as teaching the universal language.

Associated Symbols and Offerings

Symbol/Item	Association/Meaning	Use in Rituals
Goshawk/Peregrine Falcon	Nobility, Swiftness, Vision	Not offered, but the demon’s appearance requires its presence; sometimes associated with the sacrifice of similar birds.
Crocodile	Ancient Power, Concealment, Earthly Domain	Used symbolically in the preparation of the ritual area, representing the physical realm the Duke commands.
Wormwood	Element of Earth, Communication	Used as an incense or plant offering to facilitate communication and stability during evocation.
Copper	Metal of Venus/Agares’ Planet	Used to engrave the Lamen/Sigil, reinforcing the demonic bind.

Similar Demonic Entities

Agares’ unique blend of knowledge, movement control, and political disruption sets him apart. Still, several other Goetic Dukes and entities share his characteristics of high rank and functional specialization.

Demon Name	Rank	Primary Function/Shared Trait	Similarities to Agares
Saleos	Duke	Causes love between men and women.	He rides a crocodile, similar to Agares, and is a Duke.
Bathin	Duke	Knowledge of herbs/stones, instant teleportation (movement control).	High-ranking Duke; possesses power over movement (like Agares’ control over running/returning).
Gusion	Duke	Reveals past, present, and future; reconciles friends.	High-ranking Duke; grants knowledge and social control (reconciliation/destroying dignities).
Bune	Duke	Changes the place of the dead; grants eloquence and riches.	High-ranking Duke; grants eloquence (related to Agares’ language power).
Eligos	Duke	Predicts the outcome of wars; procures the favor of lords/knights.	Focuses on high-level political/military dignities, aligning with Agares’ power to destroy dignities.
Vassago	Prince	Declares past/future; discovers all things lost or hidden.	Second only to Agares in the Goetic list; grants knowledge and recovers lost objects/people (like runaways).
Valefar	Duke	Leads summoners to theft; is a good Familiar.	High-ranking Duke, like Agares.
Barbatos	Duke/Earl	Gives understanding of animal voices; leads men to hidden treasures.	High-ranking title; grants specific, arcane knowledge.

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Conclusion

Agares is a powerful demon in traditional texts, known for his intelligence and political skill. As the Second Spirit in the Goetia, he holds a high-ranking position and commands 31 legions of other spirits. His background in the Order of Virtues adds to his significance.

He has some intriguing abilities. He can teach people different languages, inspire them to take action, or make them stop in their tracks. Most importantly, he has the power to challenge and disrupt authority, affecting both spiritual leaders and worldly rulers. This makes him not just a source of chaos, but a major force that can shake up the established order of society and nature.

The meticulous descriptions of his appearance as an old fair man riding a crocodile highlights the necessity for respect and formal command, achieved only through the proper execution of Solomonic ritual and the use of his consecrated Lamen.

His presence highlights the esoteric belief that the greatest demonic forces are controlled not by strength, but by specific knowledge and divine authority.