Barbatos in the Ars Goetia: History, Powers, and Rank

Barbatos is a Great Duke of Hell and is considered one of the most important spirits in early modern demonology, especially in the Ars Goetia. He is said to connect humans and nature, but does so within a dark hierarchy.

As a Duke, the demon is said to command thirty legions of spirits. He is known for appearing with four kings who come before him. He is believed to understand the past and future and can help resolve conflicts using supernatural insight.

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Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Name	Barbatos, Barbas.
Title	Great Duke of Hell, Earl.
Gender	Male.
Origin	First majorly documented in the 16th-century grimoire Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and later in the Ars Goetia.
Appearance	Often appears when the sun is in Sagittarius, accompanied by four kings blowing horns; he frequently appears as a bearded man or a hunter.
Hierarchy	Ranked as the 8th spirit in the Lesser Key of Solomon; a Duke.
Superior Demon	Subordinate to the higher infernal powers, often linked to the overarching authority of Lucifer or Astaroth in broader hierarchies.
Servitors	Commands thirty legions of inferior spirits and is preceded by four kings.
Associated Figures	King Solomon (who supposedly bound him); often associated with the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius.
Powers	Understanding the singing of birds, barking of dogs, and lowing of bullocks; revealing hidden treasures; knowing the past and future; reconciling friends and rulers.
Weaknesses	The seal of Solomon; specific planetary alignments (Sun in Sagittarius); divine names and protective circles.
Opposing Angel/Saint	Cahetel (the 8th angel of the Shem HaMephorash).
Equipment/Tools	A bow and arrows; horns played by his royal retinue.
Pantheon	Christian Demonology / Goetic Tradition.
Notable Myths	Listed in the Lesser Key of Solomon as a spirit once belonging to the Order of Virtues.

Etymology

Most believe the name Barbatos comes from the Latin word “barbatus,” meaning “bearded.” This fits his usual image in grimoires as a wise old man with a large beard. In classical demonology, his name suggests wisdom and age, though with a dark side.

Some traditions connect his name to the idea of a “barbarian” or “foreigner,” hinting at a being outside civilization or in the wild. Still, most Western occult scholars focus on the Latin “barbatus” because it matches how he is usually described.

Unlike other demons with Hebrew or Sumerian names, Barbatos has a Latin name that appeared during the late medieval and Renaissance times when these grimoires were written.

What Does the Demon Barbatos Look Like?

Barbatos is usually described as a man who appears when the sun is in Sagittarius. He often has a long beard, matching the meaning of his name. Many stories show him as a hunter or woodsman with a bow and arrows, showing his link to the wild and his skill at finding hidden things.

A key part of his appearance is his royal entourage. He never appears alone; four kings come before him, blowing trumpets or horns. This grand entrance shows his high rank as a Duke.

Some stories say he can look more monstrous or mixed in other worlds, but the classic Goetic texts always show him as an old, wise hunter or a bearded sage in the forest.

Historical and Mythological Background

Most of what we know about Barbatos comes from Solomonic magic and early demonology books. Unlike demons from ancient Mesopotamian or Canaanite religions, Barbatos first appears as a distinct entity in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, in works such as the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and the Lesser Key of Solomon.

The Fall from the Order of Virtues

The main myth about Barbatos’s origin is his change from a heavenly being to a Duke of Hell. The Ars Goetia and Johann Weyer say he was once an angel in the Order of Virtues, a group responsible for moving the stars and performing miracles on Earth.

During Lucifer’s rebellion in Heaven, Barbatos was one of the angels who turned away from the divine. He was cast out and lost his heavenly status, but the stories say he kept some of his old knowledge and power. This is why he is not just destructive; he still understands the natural laws he once helped manage.

He went down to Hell, where he became a Duke and took command of thirty legions of spirits. Even though he is a fallen angel, his past with the Virtues and sometimes the Powers gives him a special nobility among demons.

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The Binding of Barbatos by King Solomon

According to legends about King Solomon, he received a magic ring from the Archangel Michael, marked with the Seal of God, that enabled him to control all demons. Barbatos is listed as the eighth spirit among the seventy-two that Solomon trapped in a bronze vessel.

The story says Solomon summoned Barbatos and used the ring’s power to make him reveal the earth’s secrets. Under Solomon’s command, Barbatos had to show where the treasures hidden by other magicians were located.

Solomon also used Barbatos’s special skill to understand animal speech, like birds singing and dogs barking, to learn things from nature that people couldn’t hear. The myth shows that, even though Barbatos is powerful, he still had to obey the Seal of Solomon and reveal the King’s secret knowledge.

The Herald of the Four Kings

A common theme in Barbatos’s stories is his dramatic arrival, which is described as a royal and military event. He never appears alone; when he comes to the mortal world, especially when the Sun is in Sagittarius, four noble kings go before him.

These four kings lead large groups and carry trumpets or horns, which they blow loudly to announce Barbatos’s arrival. This shows the size and order of the infernal hierarchy and the spirits he commands.

The story says these kings and their followers are not just for show. They are the “companies and great troops” that go with Barbatos everywhere, showing his power over both the wild and human governments.

The Guardian of Enchanted Treasures

In wider folklore from the grimoires, Barbatos is known for stories about hidden treasures. Many magicians are said to have buried their riches and protected them with strong curses and illusions. Only Barbatos is believed to have the power to break these spells.

The legends say Barbatos doesn’t find treasure by chance, but because he knows everything about the past. He remembers when each treasure was hidden and the spells used to protect them. This makes him a kind of dark archaeologist, able to uncover secrets lost for centuries.

Historical Mentions

The Discoverie of Witchcraft (Reginald Scot, 1584):

“Barbatos a great countie and a duke, he appeareth in signo Sagittarii with foure kings, which bring companies and great troopes. He understandeth the singing of birds, the barking of dogs, the lowings of bullocks, and the voice of all living creatures. He detecteth treasures concealed by magicians and enchanters, and was of the order of vertues, which in part beareth rule: he knoweth all things past and to come, and reconcileth friends and powers; and governeth thirtie legions of divels.”

Dictionnaire Infernal (Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy, 1863 edition, original text):

“Barbatos, grand duc des enfers, qui ressemble un peu au Sagittaire; il se montre dans les forêts sous la forme d’un chasseur. Quatre rois sonnent du cor devant lui. Il apprend à deviner par le chant des oiseaux, le mugissement des bœufs, l’aboiement des chiens et les cris de divers animaux. Il connaît les trésors enfouis par les magiciens. Il réconcilie les amis fâchés. Ce génie, qui était autrefois de l’ordre des Vertus ou de celui des Puissances, commande trente légions; il connaît le passé et l’avenir.”

Dictionnaire Infernal (1863 edition, English translation):

“Barbatos, great duke of hell, who resembles Sagittarius somewhat; he shows himself in the forests in the form of a hunter. Four kings sound the horn before him. He teaches how to divine by the singing of birds, the lowing of bullocks, the barking of dogs and the cries of various animals. He knows the treasures buried by magicians. He reconciles angry friends. This spirit, who was formerly of the order of Virtues or that of Powers, commands thirty legions; he knows the past and the future.”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (Arthur Edward Waite, 1913):

“The Eighth Spirit is Barbatos. He is a Great Duke, appearing when the Sun is in Sagittarius, with four noble Kings and their companies of great troops. He gives understanding of the singing of birds, and of the voices of other creatures, such as the barking of dogs. He breaks the hidden treasures open that have been laid by the enchantments of magicians. He was of the Order of Virtues, of which some part he retains still. He knoweth all things past, and to come, and conciliateth friends and those that be in power.”

The Grand Grimoire (Le Dragon Rouge, early 19th-century version):

“Barbatos est un esprit qui a le pouvoir de vous faire entendre le langage des animaux et de vous découvrir les richesses de la terre. Il est sous l’obéissance de Satanachia, le grand général.”

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The Grand Grimoire (English translation):

“Barbatos is a spirit who has the power to make you understand the language of animals and to discover for you the riches of the earth. He is under the obedience of Satanachia, the great general.”

The Magus (Francis Barrett, 1801):

“The eighth spirit is Barbatos; he is a great duke, and appears when the sun is in Sagittarius, with four noble kings and their companies of great troops; he gives understanding of the singing of birds, and the voices of other creatures, as the barking of dogs; he breaks hidden treasures open, which have been laid by the enchantments of magicians; he was of the order of virtues, of which he still retains some part; he knows all things past and to come, and conciliates friends and those that are in power; and he rules over thirty legions of spirits.”

Barbatos’s Powers and Abilities

Barbatos has special powers related to divination and making peace. His most famous ability is the ability to understand animal voices. This is more than just language—it’s a supernatural way to learn secrets from nature, like where water is or if danger is near.

He is also skilled in chronomancy, meaning he knows everything about the past and future. This lets him change people’s fates by revealing forgotten truths or predicting the future. He can also help mend friendships and settle disputes among rulers, quietly shaping politics in the human world.

Powers and Abilities Breakdown

Power/Ability	Description	Source	How It Tempts/Corrupts
Animal Lingua	Grants the ability to understand animal sounds.	Ars Goetia	Leads humans to rely on nature spirits rather than divine providence.
Treasure Detection	Reveals gold and items hidden by magic.	Pseudomonarchia Daemonum	Incites greed and obsession with material wealth.
Precognition	Full knowledge of the future.	The Discoverie of Witchcraft	Tempts humans into trying to bypass their destiny or fate.
Conciliation	Mends broken relationships and political ties.	Ars Goetia	Creates artificial peace based on demonic intervention rather than genuine forgiveness.

How to Counter Barbatos’s Powers

To protect yourself from Barbatos, you need items that keep you grounded and block his influence. Holy Water and Exorcised Salt are common defenses that create a barrier his spirits can’t cross.

Since Barbatos is linked to forests and animal speech, people often use Rowan wood or St. John’s Wort to protect their minds from hearing things or from demonic messages.

Some grimoires say only special amulets, like the Pentagram of Solomon, can safely control or repel Barbatos. For daily protection, people use a Hamsa or Turkish Evil Eye to guard against envy that he might cause by revealing treasures. Having a Priest bless your home can also clear away any leftover energy from his presence.

Barbatos’s Role in the Hierarchy of Hell

In Hell’s hierarchy, Barbatos is a Great Duke. This makes him higher than regular spirits but below the Princes or Kings. He is special because he is said to have kept some of his old status from the Order of Virtues, giving him a more noble reputation than other, more chaotic demons.

He leads thirty legions, showing his military and leadership importance. In the hierarchy, he is grouped with other knowledge-based demons like Buer or Foras, who help summoners instead of causing harm. The four kings who come with him suggest that he acts as a top overseer or general in Hell’s courts.

Astrological Associations and Symbolism

Barbatos is closely tied to the sign of Sagittarius. This link affects when he is most powerful and explains why he often looks like a hunter.

Element	Association
Zodiac	Sagittarius
Planet	Venus (though sometimes associated with the Sun)
Metal	Copper (Duke) or Gold (King-affiliate)
Element	Fire
Color	Green or Gold
Number	8

Barbatos’s Sigil

Barbatos’s sigil is a complex geometric symbol from the Lesser Key of Solomon. It acts as his spiritual signature. In Goetic practice, this sigil should be inscribed on a metal plate to protect the user and ensure that Barbatos obeys. Without it, his influence is said to be wild, and his spirits may cause chaos.

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Associated Symbols and Offerings

Symbol/Item	Association/Meaning	Use in Rituals
Bow	Precision and hunting.	Used as a focus for finding hidden truths.
Trumpet	The announcement of his arrival.	Used to represent his authority.
Sage/Frankincense	Wisdom and ancient air.	Burned to provide a medium for his manifestation.

Similar Demonic Entities

Demon Name	Gender	Primary Religion	Type / Class	Sphere of Influence	Weaknesses
Agares	Male	Christianity	Duke	Earthquakes, language teaching	Holy names, copper
Buer	Male	Christianity	President	Heresy, healing, philosophy	Specific herbs, morning sun
Foras	Male	Christianity	President	Logic, ethics, invisibility	Divine invocation
Paimon	Male	Christianity	King	Arts, sciences, secret things	Silver, specific orientation
Amon	Male	Christianity	Marquis	Feuds, reconciliation	Iron, water
Vassago	Male	Christianity	Prince	Past and future, hidden things	Glass, solar light
Marchosias	Male	Christianity	Marquis	War, combat, truth	Baptismal water
Gusion	Male	Christianity	Duke	Honor, dignity, future	Holy incense

Conclusion

Barbatos is still one of the most interesting figures in the Ars Goetia because of his ties to nature and his past as part of the Order of Virtues. As a Great Duke, he stands for the darker side of knowledge, like seeking secrets, treasures, and foresight through infernal ways.

He is not usually known for open violence like some other demons. Still, his ability to influence relationships and reveal hidden wealth makes him a subtle and dangerous source of temptation. Knowing his history and strict place in the hierarchy is important for anyone studying classical demonology.