Aeglos (spear)

Aeglos

Aeglos was the name for the spear of Gil-galad which was greatly feared by the enemy. It was broken when Gil-galad fell in combat against Sauron himself, on the slopes of Mount Doom S.A. 3431.^[1][2]

Etymology and names

Aeglos means "snow-point"^[3] or "icicle"^[4]. The element aeg means "point" from root AYAK, "sharp, pointed", and the element los means "snow".^[5][6]

In editions of The Lord of the Rings prior to 2005, the spear is spelled Aiglos. Tolkien, however, commented in a manuscript that the more correct Sindarin spelling is in fact Aeglos.^[7][8]

Portrayal in adaptations

Gil-galad wielding Aeglos in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Aiglos is a Holy weapon with magical abilities.^[9]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

Aiglos, only playable by Warriors, gives a direct influence against Elves.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Gil-galad is seen wielding the spear. Warren Mahy desgined the weapon.^[10]

References

1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings Index
5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names"
6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies"
7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 11
8. ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 231
9. ↑ Wolfgang Baur (1994), Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2010)
10. ↑ Gary Russell, The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring