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The Biography of Satan

By Kersey Graves
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length3h 30m

About this audiobook

The Biography of Satan is a book by Kersey Graves, first published in 1879. In this provocative work, Graves explores the historical, mythological, and theological origins of the figure known as Satan, arguing that the concept evolved through the interplay of ancient mythologies, cultural superstition, and ecclesiastical authority. Drawing on comparative religion and early history, he presents Satan not as an independent supernatural being, but as a construct shaped by religious power and fear. Graves places the blame for the persistence of the Devil myth squarely on the institutions that benefited from maintaining belief in eternal punishment and moral dualism. This work reflects the 19th-century freethought movement's skepticism toward orthodox Christianity, particularly its more fear-based doctrines. As with his better-known book The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors, Graves challenges traditional dogma and urges readers to question inherited beliefs. The book remains a bold and controversial critique of religious literalism, appealing to readers interested in the intersection of mythology, philosophy, and historical inquiry.

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★ 3.7 (317)
Includes Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing, StoryGraph
GenreLiterary Classics, Biography and Memoir
Length3 hrs 30 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 14, 2026
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Foreword
2Preface
3Introduction. “Fear Hath Torment”
4I. Evils And Demoralizing Effects Of The Doctrine Op Endless Punishment
5II. Ancient Traditions Respecting The Origin Of Evil And The Devil
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6III. A Wicked Devil And An Endless Hell Not Taught In The Old Testament
7IV. Explanation Of The Words ‘Devil’ And ‘Hell’ In The Old Testament
8V. God (And Not The Devil) The Author Of Evil According To The Christian Bible
9VI. God And The Devil Originally Twin-Brothers, And Known By The Same Titles
10VII. Origin Of The Terms “Kingdom Of Heaven,” “Gates Of Hell,” Also Of Traditions Of The Dragon Chasing The Woman, The Woman Clothed With The Sun, Etc.
11VIII. Hell First Instituted In The Skies—Its Origin And Descent From Above
12IX. Origin Of The Tradition Respecting “The Bottomless Pit”
13X. Origin Of The Belief In A “Lake Of Fire And Brimstone”
14XI. Where Is Hell? - Ancient Traditions Respecting Its Character And Location
15XII. Origin Of The Notion Of Man’s Evil Thoughts Being Prompted By A Devil—Satanic Agency Having Been Restricted To The Phenomena Of The External World
16XIII. The Christian’s Devil—Whence Imported Or Borrowed
17XIV. The Various After-Death Punitive Terms Of The New Testament, Of Oriental Origin
18XV. The Doctrine Of Future Punishment Of Heathen And Priestly Origin, Invented By Pagan Priests
19XVI. Explanation Of Hell, Hades, Tartarus, Infernus, Gehenna, And Tophet
20XVII. One Hundred And Sixty-Three Questions For Believers In Post Mortem Punishment
21Appendix. The War In Heaven

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