InsaneJournal

Penny Dreadful's band is called The Shilling Shockers.

There have been many attempts throughout the history of Christianity to classify demons into categories. These systems of classification of demons are a part of Christian demonology. Classification systems are based on the nature of the demon, the sin with which they tempt people, the month in which their power was strongest, the saints that were their adversaries, or other characteristics.

Binsfeld's classification of demons

Binsfeld's classification of demons was prepared in 1589 by Peter Binsfeld. His demon classification based on the seven deadly sins, establishing that each one of the mentioned demons tempted people by means of one of those sins.

• Lucifer: arrogance (pride)
• Leviathan: envy
• Amon: wrath
• Belphegor: sloth (laziness)
• Mammon: avarice (greed)
• Beelzebub: gluttony
• Asmodeus: lust

Guazzo's classification of demons

Francesco Maria Guazzo prepared this classification of demons based on a previous work by Michael Psellus. It was published in his book Compendium Maleficarum in 1608.

• Demons of the superior layers of the air, which never establish a relationship with people.
• Demons of the inferior layers of the air, which are responsible for storms.
• Demons of earth, which dwell in fields, caves and forests.
• Demons of water, which are female demons, and destroy aquatic animals.
• Demons of the underground part of the earth, responsible of keeping hidden treasures, causing earthquakes, and causing the crumbling of houses.
• Demons of the night, which are black and evil. These demons avoid daylight.

Michaelis' classification of demons

In 1613 Sebastien Michaelis wrote a book, Admirable History, in which included a classification of demons as it was told to him by the demon Berith when he was exorcising a nun, according to the author. This classification is based in hierarchies, the sins by means of which the temptation is made, and includes the demons' adversaries (who suffered that temptation without falling).

Note that many demons' names are exclusively French or unknown in other catalogues. St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist are the two St. John's to whom Michaelis refers. The other saints are cited only by their name without making clear, i.e., which Francis is (of Assisi?).

First Hierarchy

• Beelzebub: arrogance; adversary, St. Francis
• Leviathan: attacks Christian religious beliefs; adversary, St. Peter
• Asmodai: lust; adversary: St. John
• Berith: murdering and blasphemy; adversary, St. Barnabas
• Astaroth: laziness and vanity; adversary, St. Bartholomew
• Verrin: impatience; adversary, St. Dominic. See Verrine
• Gressil: impurity, uncleanness and nastiness; adversary, St. Bernard
• Sonneillon: hate; adversary, St. Stephen.

Second Hierarchy

• Lilith: first wife of Adam, succubus
• Azazel: the Angel of Death

Third Hierarchy

• Belial: arrogance; adversary, St. Francis of Paula
• Olivier: fierceness, greediness and envy; adversary, St. Lawrence
• Jouvart: sexuality; adversary, not cited.

Barrett's classification of demons

Francis Barrett, in his book The magus (1801), offered this classification of demons, making them princes of some evil attitude, person or thing:

• Mammon: seducers
• Asmodai: vile revenges
• Satan: witches and warlocks
• Pithius: liars and liar spirits
• Belial: fraud and injustice
• Merihem: pestilences and spirits that cause pestilences
• Abaddon: war, evil against good
• Astaroth: inquisitors and accusers

Classification by month

During the 16th century it was believed that each demon had more strength to accomplish his mission during a special month of the year. In this way, he and his assistants' powers would work better during that month.

• Belial in January
• Leviathan in February
• Satan in March
• Belphegor in April
• Lucifer in May
• Berith in June
• Beelzebub in July
• Astaroth in August
• Thammuz in September
• Baal in October
• Asmodai in November
• Moloch in December

The classification of demons by month seems to have astrological implications more than religious ones.

And...bored now.