The Simon Necronomicon (or Simonicon') is a book that claims to be the actual Necronomicon. The evidence is quite strong, however, that the book is a hoax, containing many serious inconsistencies when compared to Lovecraft's stories about the infamous Necronomicon.

The book was released in 1977 by Schlangekraft, Inc. in hardback form and later as an Avon paperback.

The "Simon Necronomicon" is the best-known and widespread of a number of books masquerading as the genuine Necronomicon. It is called the "Simon Necronomicon" because it contains an introduction by a man calling himself "Simon". The book is largely based on Sumerian mythology and attempts to identify the Great Old Ones and other creatures from Lovecraft's Mythos with gods and demons from the Sumerian myths. The "myths" presented in a book appear to be a mishmash of actual Mesopotamian myths (not only Sumerian, but Akkadian, Babylonian and Assyrian as well) as well as a fictional storyline about a man known only as the "Mad Arab".

Especially notable is the name Kutulu. Many claim that Simon's use of this name shows how much (and poorly) he draws upon Lovecraft's work. Once one further inspects the name, one realizes that this is not the case. When one breaks up the name Kutulu into KU TU LU (as Simon often puts many Sumerian words into one seemingly long word) we see that it translates to "To place the incantation which disturbs". ^{[citation needed]}

The introduction to the book (comprising about 50 pages of a total of around 250) is the only part that Simon admits to have written. It relates how Simon and his associates were supposedly introduced to a copy of the Greek Necronomicon by a mysterious, nameless monk. The introduction also attempts to establish links between Lovecraft, Aleister Crowley and Sumerian mythology, as well as draw parallels to other religions (such as Christianity and New Age religions).

The Testimony is in two parts, comprising a prologue and an epilogue to the core Necronomicon. It is supposedly written by a "Mad Arab". The name Abdul Alhazred does not appear in this text, however; the author remains nameless.

The first part tells how the Mad Arab first came to know of the existence of the dark secrets he is writing down (by accidentally witnessing an arcane ritual performed by a cult of the Ancient Ones).

In second part, the Mad Arab is haunted by demons and monsters. He fears that his gods have foresaken him due to some sin he believes to have unwittingly committed. Apparently, he is taken away by these demons just after he finishes writing his book, but before he is able to sign it; thus his name remains unknown.

A main theme of the book is the struggle between good and evil. The principal forces of good and evil are the "Elder Gods" and the "Ancient Ones", respectively. These two sides are populated with authentic Mesopotamian gods and monsters as well as fictitious ones. The Ancient Ones are older and represent primeval chaos. Chief among them is Tiamat. The Elder Gods are younger entities, children of the Ancient Ones, who rebelled against them and prevailed.

Included in the Necronomicon is a story which is a variant of the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation epic. It relates how Marduk (one of the Elder Gods) slew Tiamat, clove her body in two and created the Heaven and the Earth from the two halves. The Elder Gods also created Mankind from the blood of Kingu (an Ancient One). Other Ancient Ones are imprisoned beneath the Earth or beyond the Heavens. To this editor's knowledge, all of this is derived from authentic myths (except, perhaps, the terms "Elders Gods" and "Ancient Ones" themselves; these seem like an obvious attempt to draw parallels to Lovecraft's stories).

Simon's introduction claims that Lovecraft's Mythos, just like the Sumerian mythology, is a story of the struggle between good and evil, there personified by the good "Elder Gods" and the evil "Great Old Ones". This is false. Such a "cosmic war" does indeed appear in August Derleth's version of the Cthulhu Mythos, but not in Lovecraft's stories. (See Cthulhu Mythos for more information on this subject.)

The Ancient Ones now lie "dead but dreaming", awaiting a day when they may return to life. To do this, they are dependent on the positions of the stars as well as the sacrifices of their mortal followers. This is an obvious attempt to reconcile the myths with Cthulhu Mythos stories such as The Call of Cthulhu.

The Elder Gods include the following:

• Anu
• Enlil
• Enki
• Nanna, also called Sin
• Nebo
• Inanna, also called Ishtar
• Shammash, also called Udu or Uddu
• Nergal
• Marduk
• Ninib, also called Adar

The latter seven are known collectively as the seven Zonei.

The Ancient Ones include the following:

• Tiamat
• Absu
• Kingu
• Ereshkigal
• Kutulu
• Azag-Thoth
• Ishnigarrab
• Ninnghizhidda
• Nammtar
• Humwawa
• Pazuzu
• The Seven Maskim, also spelled Masqim, the Liers-In-Wait

Much of the book is a guide to magic. Many magical incantations, seals and rituals are described. Most of these are used to ward off evil or to invoke the Elder Gods to one's aid. Some of them are curses to be used against one's enemies. The incantations are written in a mix of English and ancient Sumerian with a few typos in the Sumerian words.

The many magical seals in the book usually pertain to a particular god or demon and are used when in invoking the entity. In some cases there are specific instructions on how to carve the seals (on what material, at what time, etc.). In other cases, only the seal itself is given.

In 2006, Avon published Simon's Dead Names: The Dark History of the Necronomicon (ISBN 0-06078-704-X), in which he details the history of the Necronomicon and attacks his critics who claim the book is a hoax. The book's conclusions are considered suspect by some [1]. .

Many musicians, especially metal bands, have been influenced by the Necronomicon. Here follows a list of songs that are based on, or make references to, Simon's Necronomicon.

• Bal-Sagoth (epic, symphonic black metal)
  • The Dreamer in the Catacombs of Ur
• Deicide (death metal)
  • Dead But Dreaming
  • They are the Children of the Underworld
• Nile (death metal)
  • Wrought
  • Barra Edinazzu
  • Defiling the Gates of Ishtar
• Virgin Steele (heavy metal)
  • The Blood of Vengeance
  • God of our Sorrows
  • The Fire God
  • Summoning the Powers

• Morbid Angel (death metal)
  • Angel of Disease
  • Lord of All Fevers and Plague
  • Prayer of Hatred
• The Need (operatic metal)
  • Dark Sally
• Metallica (thrash metal)
  • The Call Of Ktulu
  • The Thing That Should Not Be

• Cradle of Filth (symphonic metal)
  • Cthulhu Dawn

• Babylonian mythology
• Cthulhu Mythos
• H.P. Lovecraft
• Necronomicon
• Sumerian mythology

• Comments on the Necronomicon. An article by Kalyn Tranquilson comparing the Simon Necronomicon with actual Mesopotamian myths.
• Fake Necronomicons. An article by Dan Clore, discussing several supposed "Necronomicons", including Simon's.
• Papers Falling from an Attic Window. Blog of Daniel Harms, co-author of The Necronomicon Files: The Truth Behind the Legend (ISBN 1-57863-269-2), in which he takes on recent criticisms levied by Simon against The Necronomicon Files.