Alastor

"Evil genius of the household"

Among the demons of Greek and Roman mythology, one of the most famous is Alastor, popularly known as the evil genius of the household.

The word ‘Alastor’ means ‘avenger’. In Greek mythology Alastor is associated with the sins that pass down generations from fathers to sons. In the Roman mythology, he is notorious as the evil genius of the household who entices residents to commit sins. He is often associated with family feuds.

Alastor is linked with Nemesis, the goddess of divine retribution and is said to be demonic in vengeance. Alastor also acts against wrongdoer’s successors if the original culprit dies before receiving his due share of suffering. Alastor is supposed to be very cruel.

Alastor was originally a mortal, the son of Neleus who was the king of Pylos, but later he became a demon after he was slain by Hercules, the greatest hero of Roman mythology.

In Christian demonology and Zoroastrianism Alastor is known as the ‘executioner’. It is also sometimes used as a generic term for evil spirits as a whole.

Alastor became synonymous with the poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelly named Alastor or The Spirit Of Solitude. Alastor has also been made famous by Capcom when they named one of the characters in their video game ‘Viewtiful Joe ‘ the same. Alastor also featured as a winged devil in another of their game series called ‘Devil may cry