Seven Emperors of Hell

The **Seven Emperors of Hell**, also known as the **Seven Princes** and the **Seven Sins**, are a group of major recurring characters in the *Divine Comedy*.

The Seven Emperors are the supreme sovereigns and highest authority in Hell. While each emperor rules a Circle attributed to them, two exceptions are Wrath and Fraud, ruled by Belial and Lucifuge Rofocale whom hold the titles of High King and Prime Minister respectively.

They are the most powerful beings in the Inferno with the Circles stationed atop of one another representing their power ranking; Lucifer being at the top of them all.

## History

### Background

Back in the days of Heaven, the emperors were mere angels and most of which held high positions amongst the angelic choirs. It is said that they acted as Lucifer's 'posse' or gang of sorts that would follow him around since his ambitious and rebellious nature was strangely enticing to them. After the war in Heaven, the seven would make their own symphony that resulted in the creation of their own kingdom with which they could rule over. Afterward it was also said that each of the seven would take a Circle by drawing straws, the one with the shortest would take the lowest Circle which was bequeathed to Samael.

The Seven Emperors ruled Hell with an iron fist and while some were on good terms, most were depicted as rivals. Despite agreeing to consolidate their power in Hell, the sovereigns often compete in terms of damned souls being sent to their respective Circles, meaning that an emperor with the most amount of sinners in their Circle would result in them having the best amount of influence on Earth and resources as well. Either way, they remain unopposed in their ruling with the Ars Goetia often dealing in certain diplomatic and bureaucratic cases in their stead.

## Members

* **Lucifer**: Lucifer was once the greatest archangel in all of Heaven. After the fall he became the undisputed ruler of Hell. His mission is to escape from God's "story book" so as not to be bound by fate and to avoid his destined death at the hands of Michael in the Apocalypse. He is the patriarch of the Morningstar family, ruler of the Pride Circle, and is part of the Satanic Triumvirate who are basically the 'Big Three' of Hell.
* **Satan**: Satan, also called Samael, is the ruler of the Ninth Circle and next to Lucifer was among the mightiest beings in Heaven and now Hell. He was once an exalted cherub who fell after joining Lucifer when he was wrongfully assaulted by the Heavenly Host. Due to ruling the lowest Circle, Satan has rare and limited appearance in the upper Circles to where a vast majority of the demonic population in Hell believe him to be a legend. Even so, they still worship and revere him as a god while also being part of the Satanic Triumvirate.
* **Beelzebub**: Beelzebub is the ruler of the Gluttony Circle and is also part of the Satanic Triumvirate. He is the second most powerful next to Lucifer and Satan, as well as being a voraciously gluttonous fallen angel that devours both sinner and demon. Surprisingly, Beelzebub often comes off as friendly due to his naive and somewhat clueless nature but beneath such characteristics he is actually highly cunning and intelligent.
* **Asmodeus**: The ruler of the Lust Circle, Asmodeus is the embodiment of sexual and aberrant flair. Asmodeus is also the supposed creator of the Lilim, a species of demons comprised of Succubi and Incubi, tempting others to embrace and be consumed by their lustful and sexual desires.
* **Leviathan**: Leviathan is the ruler of the Envy Circle which is a vast oceanic expanse of water but beneath it lies massive undersea kingdom that he rules with an iron fin. Leviathan was said to rule beneath the waters so as not to always be looking towards the other Circles above him and be envious of the fact that he could have been at the top.
* **Mammon**: Mammon is the ruler of the Greed Circle and is the walking definition of a sleazy but golden tongued mafioso that owns the largest casino in all of Hell, guaranteed to drain you of your expenses both material and spiritual.
* **Belphegor**: Belphegor is the languorous ruler of the Sloth Circle and the youngest of the emperors. Constantly underestimated due to his size and unimpressive appearance, what he lacks in strength he makes up for in intelligence. Belphegor designed most of the technology that is used in Hell which only allows Sloth sinners to embrace their apathetic and slothful vices.

## Trivia

* They are clearly based on real-life demons called the Seven Princes of Hell, as stated in Binsfeld's classification of demons.
* Barring Leviathan, the emperors wear golden rings either on their fingers, ears, or clamped around their horns. The rings are also revealed to be remnants of their halos.
* Asmodeus and Mammon are the only two emperors who do not have wives as the vices they embody does not coincide with commitment in a marriage. This is also ironic considering Belphegor, who embodies Sloth, actually puts in effort for his wife and son.
* In order to gain a favor from an emperor they must be challenged in a game that's associated with the vice they embody. So far only four of the emperors have been challenged with the challenge being:
	+ A violin contest against Lucifer.
	+ An eating contest against Beelzebub.
	+ Playing Liar's Dice against Leviathan.
	+ Playing No-Limit Hold 'Em against Mammon.
* Each of the emperors have an item attributed to them that serves as their symbol of office:
	+ Lucifer's golden Venus pin.
	+ Satan's snake ring.
	+ Beelzebub's kitchen pot.
	+ Asmodeus's cane.
	+ Leviathan's smoke pipe.
	+ Mammon's coin.
	+ Belphegor's pillow.