page_title: Dev (mythology)
section_title: Islam
hierarchical_section_title: Dev (mythology) / Islam
caption_attribution_description: English: This illustration from Walters W.624 depicts the story of two divs (demons) who, out of boredom, wreak havoc on the world. Recognizing the dangers of idleness, the wise King Solomon consigns them to a life of futile activity: filling the sea with sand and the desert with water. The inscription naming the artist "Ali Quli is composed in red ink at the bottom of the page.
context_page_description: Dev are monstrous creatures in Iranian, Armenian, Turkic and Albanian mythology, comparable to fiends or ogres. They consist of a body similar to a human, but giant, with two horns, relishing human flesh, powerful cruel and stone-hearted with teeth like a boar. Despite their physical shape, like jinn and shayatin, the cause of demonic possession and insanity is ascribed to them. Their natural opponents are the peri, a fairy-like spirit originated from Iranian tradition. Some of them use primitive types of weapons such as stones, while others appear as warriors with armors and weapons. Additionally to their physical strength, some of them are masters of sorcery, overcoming their enemies with magic.
caption: `Aliquli - King Solomon and Two Demons - Walters W62494B - Full Page
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