The serpent aspect of the Devil is also present in the discussion and assessment of Tiamat. Such notions are however likely to amuse, or possibly infuriate, those well versed in Egyptian mythology or associated with Setian groups. Whilst such may explain a degree of the wrathful nature of YHVH within the Old Testament, the association is however is one which relies upon a small leap in logic.

Carus also suggests that the monotheistic Hyskos, who held Sutech to be the true deity, influenced Moses: consequentially, transforming Set into YHVH. Links are drawn between Tanis, site of the great Setian Temple, and the Hyksos and Hyttite peoples deity of Sutech. Those with an interest in diabology will find value in Carus’s discussion of Ancient Egypt, where he links Set with Apep, and acknowledges that Set was only demonized by later dynasties. Carus imparts very little of his own bias, aside from a brief commentary on the worship of wrathful entities (as an attempt to appease them), the nature of good and evil, and a discussion of the philosophical issue posed by evil which sees Carus verge upon a soft-dualism. Originally published in 1900, Carus’s study into the history of the Devil is a broad, detailed, and yet concise work. The 350 or so images that accompany the text serve well to illustrate the depictions of the archetype by an array of cultures. A detailed assessment of the diabology of Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity is accompanied by hundreds of images, which depict the varied forms taken by HIM. Beginning with Ancient Egypt, the study further presents aspects of those deities Carus terms ‘Satanic’, including forms from Accad, Persia, Asia, and Europe. The many forms taken by HIM are presented as a linear journey of development throughout history. In his the History of the Devil, Carus presents an investigation in which he uncovers the archetypal Devil throughout history.

The history of the devil paul carus