The historical epochs change, but the essence of man remains the same. Some of them are ready to go for everything for the sake of glory, wealth or other vital benefits.
Some even decided to cross a dangerous line and go to a deal with the Devil. The history of each of them is entertaining and instructive for all.
Theophilus of Adan
The priest, as no one else should have known, that Satan is interested in just one commodity - an immortal soul. The fact that religion regards the sale of the soul as one of the most terrible sins did not stop him. The cause of the rash act was envy. Theophilus was elected to the post of bishop, but refused to fall on his responsibilities.
His follower was frightened that the bishop folded his duties again, and began to oppress Theophilus. After a while the priest really regretted that he had left his job. He hurriedly found a Jew-warlock, who arranged for him to meet with evil spirits. The devil demanded the renunciation of Jesus and the Virgin in return for the post of bishop. Theophil easily agreed, but later repented of this. He repented of his sins to a competitor and he burned the contract, annulling it.
Urbain Grandier
The example of Theophilus of Adan inspired another Catholic priest to sign a dangerous treaty. Urben Grandier owes a whole list of demons, among which were: Lucifer, Astaroth, Leviathan and Beelzebub. The document states that he gives his soul to them in return for "the love of women, the flowers of virginity, the mercy of monarchs, honors, pleasures and power." Greed before the worship of Urben was seized by the personal order of Cardinal Richelieu and burned alive.
Johann Georg Faust
Faust was a doctor and a warlock, who lived at the end of the XV century. He graduated from university, but the work of the teacher quickly tired him - and he chose a wandering life. Moving from city to city, Johann entertained the people in city squares with tricks and prepared a plan for rebelling against God. He did not hesitate to say that he would be able to repeat all the miracles of Jesus and bring back to life the great thinkers - Plato and Aristotle. Such speeches deprived him of the right to enter certain countries of Europe: the authorities openly said that "the way to the great sodomite and necromancer, Doctor Faust was ordered."
In fact, Faust was a very mediocre scientist, that sooner or later people would know. To avoid shame, the doctor made a deal with the Devil, who revealed to him the secrets of being. He had to die after he reached the peaks of popularity. And here disagreements begin in his destiny: some sources claim that his soul was torn to pieces by demons, while others are sure that the compassionate angels managed to tear out Faust from the clutches of demons.
St. Wolfgang
In the tenth century, St. Wolfgang wanted to build a church in the Bavarian town of Regensburg. As a bishop, he was unable to attract generous benefactors to the construction and therefore dared to ask for help to Satan. He agreed, but put forward a condition: the first creature, crossing the threshold of the finished structure, will be given into possession of the unclean. Wolfgang had the opportunity to instantly see what the contract with the Devil was worth.
Around him towered walls, and the saint at the exit from the church would become a victim of his own promises. Saved Wolfgang from a terrible fate prayer: the plea for help was a wolf, and Satan could not break the contract fixed in blood.
Jonathan Multton
One of the participants in the war of the North and South in the United States, General Jonathan Multon, decided to enrich himself at the expense of the Devil. Jonathan held the required rite and offered his soul in exchange for gold. Once a month Satan undertook to fill the general's boots with gold coins to the point of refusal. The military savvy prompted Multon a cunning, which the demon could not understand at once: the general cut off the soles of his boots and placed them above the basement hole. A few years later, the Devil understood the trick of a military man and furiously sucks his house with him.
Niccolo Paganini
The works of the brilliant violinist still can not be repeated by the majority of musicians. He started composing music at the age of 5: every year the boy's talent developed and more and more struck those around him. One of the most famous of his works was "The Dance of Witches", for the virtuoso performance of which Paganini, according to rumors, signed an ill-fated contract. Since then, the very appearance of Nicholas has become like the devil.
The appearance of the violinist was described by the poet Heinrich Heine:
"Long black hair fell over his shoulders with tangled locks and, like a dark frame, surrounded his pale, dead face, on which genius and suffering left their indelible mark."
Even after death, the church did not forgive Paganini's friendship with Satan. The Bishop of Nice flatly refused to sing it before the funeral.
Napoleon Bonaparte
In the year of the coup, Napoleon visited Egypt, where he was struck by a statue of the god of evil and the afterlife of Set. He took the statue with him - and was able to reach incredible heights in military campaigns. With Satan, he concluded the contract, believing in the myths of Ancient Egypt that the owner of any of the statues of Set will receive such power as he wishes. Bonaparte made most of Europe dependent on France, but failed in Russia on the day the statue sank when crossing the River Seine in Paris. Since then, he was in for some misfortune.
Robert Johnson
One of the fathers-creators of blues was the first in "Club 27" - a list of talented people who died at the age of 27. His musical abilities still cause questions among music connoisseurs. At the age of 19, Robert was excited to learn how to play the guitar. The instrument did not succumb to him - and Johnson disappeared for a year out of sight of friends, family and members of his group. Appearing a year later, he showed the real mastery of guitar, which everyone was envious of, who had previously laughed at him. Glory swallowed him and Robert gave himself up to simple amusements like alcohol and women of easy virtue.
Having drunk, he told prostitutes that there is a magic crossroads on which you can make a deal with the Devil. The only reason for the sadness was a short time allotted to the glory of Robert. After recording 30 songs and performing many performances, Johnson died under mystical circumstances. His grave is still not found.