5 min read
Zethus: The Enemy Inversion
author: High Priest Zevios Metathronos
co-authors: Karnonnos
Zethus, builder of Thebes beside Amphion, was turned in the grimoires into the raven Malphas. Such names were made to defame the Original Gods and Their heroes, and they are not to be invoked. Call on Zethus by the name Zethus.
Unlike his twin, the demon Malphas is first found in the Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, MS Plut. 89 sup. 38, fol. 305r., signed in Rome around 1491. The presence of an M at this point is questionable, meaning he can also be called Alphas, possibly connecting him to the Sigil used in the Rituals with the Greek letter Α standing for Amphion. Zethus appears in the likeness of a crow (corvi) and when assuming the form of a human, he speaks with a hoarse voice.1,2
Habet 20 legiones. Alphas ut Malapas, preses magnus, apparet in
similitudinem corvi; sed cum suscipit formam humanam, loquitur rauca voce.
Mirabiliter edificat domos et turres, et cito dat occursum maximos artifices.
Facit etiam exorcistam res domos destruere et turres frangere. Dat optimos
familiares ad destructionem. Libenter suscipit sacrificia, holocausta, et
decipit homines in violantes sibi. Habet sub se 20 legiones.
The raven-like form is an allegory for the displacement of the Theban people and their enslavement after the city's total destruction by Alexander the Great. An oracle recorded by Diodorus Siculus stated that the raven prophetically showed when they would return, and when they did so they reestablished the city:3,4
according to the prophecy of the ravens...
κατὰ τὴν τῶν κοράκων μαντείαν...
He can marvellously build houses and towers, bringing the greatest craftsmen together to do so. This is clearly reflective of the myth of Amphion and Zethus building Thebes, particularly in Zethus' tireless work to do so. Alexander's enemy and rival Cassander quickly rebuilt the city after ascending to the throne of Macedon. All corners of the Greek world and Phryne, a very wealthy businesswoman who supposedly was the model for the Aphrodite of Knidos, also offered to do so, the latter on the condition her name would be credited as the rebuilder.5
All of this is a symbol of hard work and restoration. Alphas is said to grant excellent familiar spirits for destruction of an enemy; he receives sacrifices and burnt offerings, but he has a dark side of deceiving people into doing violence to themselves. The latter perhaps reflects the Euripdean view of Callicles interpreting Zethus as a force showing one must obsessively use political clout and armies, an interpretation which leads to ruin, or the ruin of Thebes.6
The Livre des esperitz says of Malpharas that he can construct all kinds of buildings as before, but removes the parts about familiars. This one can also transport anyone anywhere. 7
He reappears in the Johann Weyer's demonological treatise the Pseudomonarchia daemonum of 1577, the work pairing him with the new demon Halphas. The burnt offerings disappear, his legions increase from twenty to forty, and the enemy buildings turn to destruction of enemy thoughts. The destructive familiar spirits he sends are instead ones that are 'not bad'.8
In Dr. Rudd's angelological correspondence, Malphas is opposed by the astrological angel Rehael who provide cures for illnesses, creates obedience in families and obtains the mercy of the Hebrew deity. He is equated with Psalm 30:10.9,10,11
Bibliography:
- Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, MS Plut. 89 sup. 38, fols. 305r and 314r; transcribed and translated in Brian Johnson, Necromancy in the Medici Library: An Edition and Translation of Excerpts from Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, MS Plut. 89 sup. 38 (West Yorkshire, England: Hadean Press, 2020).
- Jean-Patrice Boudet, “Les who’s who démonologiques de la Renaissance et leurs ancêtres médiévaux,” Médiévales, no. 44 (2003): 120, 123, 125.
- Arrian. Anabasis of Alexander. Vol. 1, Books 1–4. Translated by P. A. Brunt. Loeb Classical Library 236. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1976. See 1.8–9.
- Diodorus Siculus, Library of History. Vol. 9, Books 18–19.65. Translated by Russel M. Geer. Loeb Classical Library 377. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1947. See 19.53–54.
- Athenaeus. The Learned Banqueters. Vol. 6, Books 12–13.594b. Edited and translated by S. Douglas Olson. Loeb Classical Library 327. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2010. Primary ancient source for both Phryne’s reputed role as the model for Praxiteles’ Cnidian Aphrodite and her conditional offer to rebuild the walls of Thebes.
- Plato. Gorgias. Translated by Walter Hamilton and Chris Emlyn-Jones. Penguin Classics. London: Penguin, 2004. See 484e–486d for Callicles' adoption of Zethus's argument from the Antiope against Socrates and philosophy.
- Peterson, Joseph H., ed. The Lesser Key of Solomon: Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis. York Beach, ME: Weiser Books, 2001. See 25–26, no. 39 and note 71.
- Weyer, Johann. Pseudomonarchia daemonum. In De praestigiis daemonum, 5th ed. Basel: Oporinus, 1577.
- Rudd, Thomas. The Goetia of Dr Rudd: The Angels & Demons of Liber Malorum Spirituum seu Goetia Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis. Edited by Stephen Skinner and David Rankine. Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic. Singapore: Golden Hoard Press, 2007. Relevant sections: introduction to the Shem-ha-Mephorash angelic control of the Goetic spirits; Haagenti, spirit 48; angelic seal and Psalm correspondence.
- Lenain, Lazare-Républicain. La Science cabalistique, ou l’art de connaître les bons génies qui influent sur la destinée des hommes; avec l’explication de leurs talismans et caractères mystérieux, et la véritable manière de les composer. Amiens: Chez l’auteur, 1823. Specific reference: 39e génie, Rehael..
- The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: King James Version. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1769. Psalm 30:10