Solomon
The ancient king who rules Jerusalem with a powerful Ring and commands seventeen High Magicians.
Solomon is the biblical King of Israel, reigning from approximately 970 to 931 BC, who rules with the use of a mighty Ring. In the novel, he is a powerful magician who commands seventeen High Magicians and uses the Ring to maintain his authority. He proposes to the Queen of Sheba and is refused, and later sends Khaba the Cruel to punish the djinni Bartimaeus for murdering one of his magicians, Ezekiel. Solomon is depicted as a ruler who can be amused by Bartimaeus's groveling, sparing the djinni's life and instead sending him to hunt bandits. He is also shown to be unaware of a ransom demand sent in his name to Sheba, which causes Asmira to doubt her mission.
- Role
- King of Israel
- Affiliation
- Kingdom of Israel
- Status
- Alive (during the events of the novel)
- Key Achievement
- Ruling with the Ring of Solomon
- Legacy
- Use of the Ring to command spirits and magicians
Lore & Background
Solomon is the King of Israel who rules from Jerusalem during the biblical period, around 950 BC. He commands seventeen High Magicians and uses the Ring of Solomon to enforce his will. When the djinni Bartimaeus murders the magician Ezekiel, Solomon is insulted that a mere djinni is the perpetrator and commands Khaba the Cruel to summon Bartimaeus back into service and punish him. Solomon also proposes to the Queen of Sheba, Balkis, and is refused. Later, he makes an unexpected appearance at the construction site of his Temple on the Temple Mount, where he catches Bartimaeus in the form of a pygmy hippopotamus in a skirt. Amused by Bartimaeus's groveling, Solomon spares his life and sends him and Khaba to hunt local bandits. When Asmira attempts to assassinate him, Solomon reveals that he never sent any ransom demand to Sheba, clearing up the misunderstanding. After Khaba's betrayal, Solomon imprisons Khaba and pardons both Asmira and Bartimaeus. He then summons Queen Balkis to Jerusalem and offers Asmira a position in his service.
In Their Own Story
The story opens in Jerusalem with King Solomon ruling with the use of a mighty Ring. When the djinni Bartimaeus murders the magician Ezekiel, Solomon is insulted and commands Khaba the Cruel to summon Bartimaeus back and punish him. Solomon also proposes to the Queen of Sheba and is refused. Later, Solomon makes an unexpected appearance at the Temple construction site, catching Bartimaeus in the form of a pygmy hippopotamus in a skirt. The king interrogates Bartimaeus, who reluctantly admits his guilt while covering for the other spirits. As Solomon prepares to use the Ring on Bartimaeus, the djinni resorts to grovelling, which amuses Solomon. He spares Bartimaeus's life and instead punishes him and Khaba by sending them to hunt local bandits. Later, Asmira, the Sheban guard captain, attempts to assassinate Solomon but discovers it is an illusion set up to trap her. Solomon reveals he never sent any ransom demand to Sheba. After Khaba seizes the Ring and attempts to destroy the palace, Asmira slices off Khaba's finger with the ring still on it, and Bartimaeus throws the ring into the sea. Bartimaeus later returns the ring to Asmira, who gives it back to Solomon. The king imprisons Khaba and pardons both Asmira and Bartimaeus. Solomon then summons Queen Balkis to Jerusalem and clears up the misunderstanding, offering Asmira a position in his service.
Reader's Guide
Solomon is the King of Israel who rules from Jerusalem during the biblical period, around 950 BC. He commands seventeen High Magicians and uses the Ring of Solomon to maintain his authority. His role in the story is that of a powerful ruler who is both feared and respected. He is shown to be capable of mercy, as when he spares Bartimaeus's life after being amused by his groveling. He is also shown to be unaware of the ransom demand sent in his name to Sheba, which drives the plot. Solomon's defining moment is his confrontation with Asmira, where he reveals the truth about the ransom demand and later offers her a position in his service. His legacy is the use of the Ring to control spirits and maintain his rule over Israel.
Did You Know?
- Solomon reigned from approximately 970 to 931 BC.
- He commands seventeen High Magicians.
- He proposes to the Queen of Sheba and is refused.
- He spares Bartimaeus's life after the djinni grovels before him.
- He never sent a ransom demand to Sheba; it was a forgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Solomon in the Bartimaeus universe?
In this setting, he is an ancient Israelite king renowned for being the first human to successfully bind demons. He established the magical hierarchy that governs summoners and spirits throughout history.
What powers or abilities did Solomon possess?
His primary power was uncovering the secret names of spirits, which allowed him to command them against their will. This discovery made him the original master of demons rather than just a wise ruler.
How does Solomon's story end in the series?
Solomon is deceased and exists only as a historical figure within the lore of the books. His legacy continues through the binding system he created, which remains in use by modern summoners.
Why is Solomon considered important to the plot?
He forged the chains of magic that broke the demons' freedom and defined human-demon relations for millennia. Without his initial breakthrough, the current system of summoning would not exist.
What is Solomon's lasting legacy?
His greatest achievement was creating the Binding System based on the Names of Power. Every summoner who follows his methods relies on the magical framework he originally constructed.
More in Characters & Spirits
Elsewhere in the Bartimaeus universe
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