Gaap

Gaap appears in the catalogues and narrative frameworks of European demonological texts (e.g., Lesser Key of Solomon, Johann Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Munich Manual, Livre des Esperitz, Dictionnaire Infernal). In Weyer’s account Gaap is said to have been first called upon by Ham, son of Noah, alongside Beleth; otherwise the name functions as a roster-item within hierarchical lists rather than a mythic-origin tale in the supplied excerpts.

In the cited grimoires Gaap is described principally as a princely or human figure: several works depict him as a prince in human form. The Livre des Esperitz, under the variant Caap, specifically describes him appearing as a knight. The supplied sources do not preserve a single, consistent pictorial iconography beyond these human/knightly forms.

Across sources Gaap’s attributed powers vary by text. The Lesser Key of Solomon and Pseudomonarchia Daemonum describe him (as president/prince) teaching philosophy and the liberal arts, making others invisible, stealing familiars from other magicians, making men stupid, and transporting men between kingdoms, and ruling some number of legions (sixty-six is recorded in these accounts). The Munich Manual (as Taob) credits him with providing medical care for women, transforming them to facilitate access to lovers, rendering them infertile, and ruling twenty-five legions. The Livre des Esperitz (as Caap) says he brings gold and silver anywhere and rules twenty legions. Johann Weyer connects him to necromancers. Thomas Rudd records that Gaap is opposed by the Shem HaMephorash angel Ieuiah, situating him within angel–daemon oppositional schemes.