The History of the Devil, As Well Ancient as Modern: In Two Parts

This sweeping study treats the figure of the Devil as both a theological and cultural phenomenon, tracing his origins from expulsion from Heaven through the earliest days of human creation. The author combs biblical accounts, ancient myths, and early modern commentary to map how the fallen angel’s role was imagined in the Garden, the Flood, and the rise of the first churches. By the end of the first part the reader has a clear picture of the Devil’s powers, his host of fallen spirits, and the ways early writers tried to measure his influence on mankind.

The work stands out for its lively blend of rigorous scholarship and a wry, almost conversational tone that refuses to treat the subject solely as a source of terror. It points out frequent errors in popular interpretations—such as misconceptions about Milton’s portrayal—and suggests that the Devil has often been employed as a convenient scapegoat for human failings. Readers will come away with a richer understanding of how the figure has been used to shape religious ideas and moral debates up to the dawn of Christianity.