Tuesday, November 1, 2011


from paradise lost, john milton's epic catalog of the demons who became the gods of pagan peoples.  
  1. Moloch
  2. Chemos
  3. Baalim
  4. Ashtaroth
  5. Astoreth/Astarte
  6. Thammuz
  7. Dagon
  8. Rimmon
  9. Osiris
  10. Isis
  11. Orus
  12. Belial

for milton, as for homer and virgil, numbers are significant. these are the tribes of the demons, a new nation of evil. virgil has 12 foes for aeneas to defeat before the great battle for latium, so it makes sense that Christ would have 12 foes to defeat in his great fight. if my memory is right, the 13th foe that is listed for aeneas is not a part of the epic catalog, but is the most worthy opponent: turnus. similarly, perhaps Christ's most worthy opponent is listed 13th and outside the catalog: beelzebub. this leaves satan out of the picture, though, so obviously i need to think about it more.  

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