In mythology, “Legion” refers to a demon or a multitude of demons, most famously appearing in the New Testament as the name given by a possessed man to the spirits within him. The name itself is not a personal name but a Latin military term meaning a unit of 6,000 soldiers, and its mythological use signifies an overwhelming, countless host of evil spirits. This article explores the origins of the name, its biblical context, its later appearances in Christian tradition, and its broader cultural impact.
The Biblical Account: Mark and Luke
The primary mythological source for “Legion” is the Gospel of Mark (5:1-20), with a parallel account in the Gospel of Luke (8:26-39). In the story, Jesus encounters a man living among tombs in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, depending on the manuscript). The man is possessed by many unclean spirits. When Jesus asks the spirit’s name, the reply is “Legion, for we are many.” The spirits beg Jesus not to send them out of the region, and instead, they enter a herd of about 2,000 pigs, which then rush down a steep bank into the sea and drown. The man is healed and becomes a witness to Jesus’ power.
The name “Legion” here is a self-description of the collective demons, emphasizing their number and military-like organization. In Roman-occupied Judea, the term would have resonated with a local audience as a symbol of foreign oppression and overwhelming force, making the exorcism a powerful metaphor for spiritual liberation.
The Latin Origin: A Roman Military Term
The word “legion” comes from the Latin legio, which was the largest unit of the Roman army, typically composed of 5,000 to 6,000 infantrymen plus cavalry and support troops. The term was used in classical Latin literature and inscriptions. In the New Testament, the Greek word used is legeōn, a direct loanword from Latin, which indicates that the early Christian community was familiar with Roman military structure. The choice of this word for the demon’s name was deliberate: it conveys not just a large number, but a coordinated, disciplined, and terrifying force—an army of evil.
Legion in Later Christian Demonology
After the New Testament, “Legion” became a generic term in Christian demonology for a large group of demons. Medieval grimoires and theological texts often listed “Legion” among the ranks of demons, sometimes as a specific demon of destruction or rebellion. For example, in the 16th-century demonology text Pseudomonarchia Daemonum by Johann Weyer, a demon named “Legion” is mentioned as a commander of lesser demons. However, these later descriptions are not part of the canonical biblical account and vary widely between sources. In popular Christian folklore, “Legion” is sometimes conflated with Beelzebub or Satan, but the Bible does not make this identification.
Common Misconceptions About Legion
A frequent misconception is that “Legion” is the personal name of a single powerful demon. In the biblical text, the name is a plural self-identification: “we are many.” The man’s response indicates that the possessing entities are a group, not an individual. Another myth is that the demons were cast into the pigs as a form of punishment or that the pigs’ death was an act of cruelty. In the narrative, the demons request to enter the pigs to avoid being sent to the abyss (the place of confinement for evil spirits), and the pigs’ drowning is a consequence of the demons’ destructive nature, not a deliberate act by Jesus. A third misconception is that “Legion” appears in the Old Testament; it does not. The term is exclusively from the New Testament and later Christian writings.
Legion in Modern Culture
The mythological figure of Legion has had a significant impact on modern media and literature. The name is used in the 1973 film The Exorcist as a reference to the biblical demon, and it appears in numerous horror films, novels, and video games. In the Marvel Comics universe, the character Legion (David Haller) is a mutant with multiple personalities, each with its own superpower, drawing directly from the biblical imagery of a divided self. The term has also entered common language as a metaphor for a large, overwhelming group, as in “a legion of fans” or “a legion of problems.” This cultural persistence shows how a single biblical episode has shaped the Western imagination about demonic possession and multiplicity.
Comparative Mythology: Other Multitudes of Spirits
The idea of a group of spirits acting as one is not unique to Christianity. In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, demons such as the utukku could appear in swarms. In Hindu mythology, the bhuta are restless spirits that often travel in groups. In Japanese folklore, oni (demons) sometimes appear in hordes, and the concept of hyakkiyagyo (night parade of one hundred demons) involves a multitude of spirits marching together. However, the specific name “Legion” and its military connotation are distinctly Roman and Christian. Unlike these other traditions, Legion is not a class of beings but a specific named group within a single narrative, which gives it a unique place in mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Legion the same as Satan?
No, the Bible does not equate Legion with Satan. In the Gospel accounts, Legion is a group of demons, while Satan is the chief adversary of God. The demons in the story recognize Jesus’ authority and fear being sent to the abyss, which suggests they are subordinate to Satan but not identical to him.
How many demons were in Legion?
The biblical text does not give a number. The name “Legion” implies a large, military-scale group, but the exact count is unknown. The mention of 2,000 pigs in Mark’s Gospel has led some to speculate that there were 2,000 demons, but this is an interpretation, not a stated fact.
Why did the demons want to enter the pigs?
In the narrative, the demons begged Jesus not to send them out of the country or into the abyss (the place of confinement for evil spirits). They asked to enter the pigs as an alternative. This request reflects the belief that demons prefer to inhabit physical beings rather than be disembodied.
Does Legion appear in the Old Testament?
No, the name “Legion” does not appear in the Old Testament. The term is exclusively found in the New Testament, in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. The Old Testament does mention demons and unclean spirits, but not by this name.
What does “Legion” mean in everyday language?
Outside of mythology, “legion” means a large number of people or things, often with a military or organized connotation. For example, “a legion of volunteers” or “the French Foreign Legion.” The mythological usage has influenced this figurative meaning, implying a vast, powerful, and sometimes threatening multitude.
Is the story of Legion meant to be taken literally?
For many believers, the story is a literal account of Jesus’ exorcism. For others, it is a symbolic narrative illustrating Jesus’ power over evil and his concern for the marginalized (the possessed man was an outcast living among tombs). The story’s inclusion in the Gospels suggests its importance to the early church, but its interpretation varies among Christian denominations and scholars.
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