The purpose of this paper is to trace some of the accepted characteristics of the devil to their origins through a study of folklore and ancient religions. The characteristics include the principal form taken by each devil and trace its beginnings through folklore; the animals connected with these devils; powers allotted to these devils; and purposes served by these devils.

This study discusses the rise of mythological thinking, focusing on ancient Near Eastern creation myths and creation accounts in mythological works in particular, with additional material drawn from lists of gods and other sources. The similarities and differences between several creation myths are analyzed by means of a diachronic and comparative method, tracing the development of mythological thinking about creation over thousands of years. The study departs in the main from six ancient creation myths and accounts of creation from ancient Mesopotamia: three Sumerian compositions to form the vestiges of a Sumerian creation myth, and three Babylonian myths which contain accounts of creation. A comparison of similarities and differences between these compositions is performed. In a final section, a comparison is made with the Old Testament and the Quran’s creation account, where phrases from the latter two texts are compared to the earlier myths and accounts of creation to produce an understanding of which elements of creation in religions with modern day followers rest upon ancient Mesopotamian foundations.

De la conquête de Cyrus II en 547 av. J.-C. à celle d'Alexandre le Grand en 334 av. J.-C., l'Asie Mineure occidentale a fait partie de l'empire achéménide. Les Grecs d'Asie ont donc vécu pendant plus de deux siècles en contact avec des populations perses, qu'il s'agisse des satrapes ou des membres de la diaspora impériale venus s'installer dans les régions conquises. Cette proximité géographique a donné lieu à de très nombreux échanges institutionnels, culturels et personnels. Cette thèse s’intéresse à la diversité des relations ayant existé entre les membres des deux communautés. Elle s'efforce de montrer de quelle manière deux peuples souvent présentés comme des ennemis héréditaires ont vécu dans un même espace géographique. / Western Asia Minor was part of the Achaemenid Empire from the conquest of Cyrus II (547 B.C.) to that of Alexander the Great (334 B.C.). Thus, during more than two centuries, Asian Greeks have lived in touch with Persians, either satraps or members of the imperial diaspora who settled in the conquered regions. This geographical closeness gave rise to a number of institutional, cultural and personal exchanges. This thesis explores the variety of relationships having existed between members of the two communities. It seeks to show how two peoples traditionally presented as enemies actually cohabited in the same geographical space.