Barbatos is the 8th spirit named among the list of 72 demons in The Lesser Key of Solomon. According to grimoire tradition, he holds the rank of Duke, and (like the demon Buer) may appear when the sun is in the sign of Sagittarius. When summoned, he appears "with four noble kings and their companions in great troops". Barbatos grants the ability to understand the spoken language of animals, such as the singing of birds and the barking of dogs. He reveals hidden treasures that have been concealed by the enchantment of magicians, gives knowledge of past and future events, and reconciles disputes between friends and those who hold power. Barbatos has 30 legions of spirits under his command, and once belonged to the angelic order of Virtues.[1]

The sigil of Barbatos

In the Grand Grimoire, Barbatos is named as the sixth of the eighteen spirits who serve the seven superior spirits, namely, he is under the command of Satanachia along with Pruslas and Aamon.[2]

In popular culture edit

  • In the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, the lead mobile suit is known as "ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos".[3]
  • In the 2020 game Genshin Impact, Barbatos (Chinese: 巴巴托斯) is one of the names of the Archon of Anemo (wind) and the tutelary deity of the nation of Mondstadt, who appears in the guise of Venti, the bard.[4]
  • In the Japanese Otome game Obey Me!, Barbatos is depicted as a butler to the demon prince and is one of the choices the player can be romance with.
  • In the Korean Light Novel Dungeon Defense, Barbatos appears as one of the 72 Demon Lords and is a major supporting character. Barbatos is depicted as female in this iteration.
  • In American superhero comics published by DC, a character named Barbatos appears as a villain and primeval force of darkness in the Dark Nights: Metal story. Barbatos is worshiped by the Bat Tribe of Gotham City and sends evil alternate versions of Batman from the Dark Multiverse to collapse the then-current multiverse of 52 earths.
  • In the strategy game Monster Legends, a monster named Barbatos was the ruler of hell before being dethroned by the Inheritor.
  • In the 2022 game Cult of the Lamb, the third miniboss of Darkwood is named after this demon.

References edit

  1. ^ Peterson, Joseph H. (2001), The Lesser Key of Solomon (p. 10), Weiser Books, ISBN 9781578632206.
  2. ^ "Grand Grimoire" (PDF). magicgatebg. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Gundam Barbatos (1st Form)". gundam.
  4. ^ "Venti". HoYoWiki!. Retrieved 4 March 2024.