Balrogs: Difference between revisions

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{{disambig-more|Balrog|[[Balrog (disambiguation)]]}}{{people infobox
{{disambig-more|Balrog|[[Balrog (disambiguation)]]}}
| name=Balrogs
{{race
| image=[[File:Thomas Rouillard - Valaraukar.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[File:Rob Alexander - The Balrog of Moria.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Valaraukar" by [[:Category:Images by Thomas Rouillard|Thomas Rouillard]]
|name=Balrogs
| pronun=
|dominions=primarily [[Angband]],<br>[[Moria]] ([[Durin's Bane]])
| othernames=''Valaraukar'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
|languages=
| origin=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
|height= twice the height of a man
| location=Primarily [[Angband]],<br>[[Moria]] ([[Durin's Bane]])
|length=
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
|skincolor=
| rivalry=
|haircolor=
| language=
|feathers=
| members=[[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Durin's Bane]], [[Lungorthin]]
|distinctions=Man-like, surrounded by fire and smoke
| lifespan=Immortal
|lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=Man-like, surrounded by shadow and fire, covered in smoke<br />''(cf. [[Balrogs/Wings]])''
|members=[[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Durin's Bane]]
| height=Twice the height of a man
}}{{Pronounce|Balrog.mp3|Ardamir}}
| hair=
'''Balrogs''', or '''Balrogath''' ("Balrog-kind") were menacing creatures about twice the height of a man consisting of fire and shadow. Balrogs induced great terror in all and were among [[Morgoth]]'s most feared minions during the [[First Age]]. The wizard Gandalf fell fighting a Balrog when the Fellowship escaped [[Moria]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. In the First Age notable Elf Lords [[Ecthelion]] and [[Glorfindel]] each fell fighting separate Balrogs during the sack of [[Gondolin]].
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=Whips, swords, axes
}}
{{Quote|... in Utumno he gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption: their hearts were of fire, but they were cloaked in darkness, and terror went before them; they had whips of flame.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"}}
The '''Balrogs''' were [[Maiar]] corrupted by [[Morgoth]] during the creation of [[Arda]], who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords. Famed Balrogs include [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], slain by [[Ecthelion]], and [[Durin's Bane]], slain by [[Gandalf]].


== History ==
== History ==
Balrogs were originally [[Maiar]] spirits, of the same order as [[Sauron]] and [[Gandalf|Olórin]] (Gandalf), but they were seduced by [[Morgoth]], who corrupted them to his service before the coming of the [[Elves]]. They were originally gathered by him in his ancient fastness of [[Utumno]] during the [[Years of the Lamps]]. When this fortress was destroyed by the [[Valar]], they fled and lurked in the pits of [[Angband]].
Balrogs, also called [[Valaraukar]], were originally [[Ainur]] created by [[Ilúvatar]], probably those who joined [[Melkor]] during his discordance in the [[Music of the Ainur]]. After entering into [[Eä]], they were [[Maiar]], lesser spirits at the service of the [[Valar]].


When [[Morgoth|Melkor]] and [[Ungoliant]] escaped from [[Valinor]] many years later with the [[Silmarils]], the Balrogs were still to be found in these pits. Ungoliant trapped Melkor in her webs, demanding the Silmarils for herself, but the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and rescued their lord.
{{blockquote|...of the Maiar many were drawn to [Melkor's] splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs, demons of terror.|''[[Valaquenta]]'': Of the Enemies}}


The Balrogs were first encountered by Elves during the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars") in the First Age. After the victory of the [[Noldor|Noldorin Elves]] over Morgoth's [[Orcs]], the Elf Lord [[Fëanor]] pressed on towards Angband, but Balrogs came against him. He was surrounded by Balrogs and fought long before being mortally wounded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], Lord of Balrogs (the only Balrog known by name). Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after, and his spirit departed for the [[Halls of Mandos]].
They took the [[Fana|forms]] of demons with hearts of fire and whips of flame. Melkor gathered them about him after the fall of the [[Two Lamps]] and they dwelt in [[Utumno]].<ref>{{S|3}}</ref> When this fortress was destroyed by the [[Valar]], they fled to the west and hid in the pits of [[Angband]], awaiting their master's return.<ref name=Return>{{S|9}}</ref>


When Morgoth's fortress of [[Angband]] was destroyed by the [[Valar]] in the First Age, most Balrogs were destroyed, but some fled and lurked in the pits of Angband or escaped across the [[Blue Mountains]] to eastern [[Middle-earth]].
When [[Morgoth]] and [[Ungoliant]] escaped from [[Valinor]] many years later with the [[Silmarils]], the Balrogs were still awaiting their master in Angband. After Ungoliant threatened Morgoth, his cry was heard by them. Then the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and traveled to [[Lammoth]] like a tempest of fire. With their whips they destroyed Ungoliant's webs and made her take flight.<ref name=Return>{{S|9}}</ref>


After the last battle of the First Age some Balrogs escaped the Valar's wrath and hid deep underground inaccessible at the roots of the earth. In the Third Age the [[Dwarves]] of [[Khazad-dûm]] unwittingly released a Balrog while mining for ''[[mithril]]'' and were driven out of Moria by the creature. This is the same Balrog that Gandalf ultimately encountered in ''The Fellowship of the Ring''.
The Balrogs were first encountered by the Elves during the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars") when the [[Noldor]]in [[Exile of the Noldor|Exiles]] [[Return of the Noldor|returned]] to [[Middle-earth]] at the end of the [[First Age]].<ref>{{App|Elves}}, p. 1128</ref> After the victory of the Noldor over Morgoth's forces, the Elf Lord [[Fëanor]] pressed on towards [[Angband]], but the Balrogs came up against him. He was surrounded and fought long against them before being mortally wounded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], Lord of the Balrogs. Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>


Just one Balrog appears after the First Age in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s writings. If Sauron had any in his service during the [[Second Age]] or the [[War of the Ring]], they were never revealed. The sole Balrog described by Tolkien after the [[War of Wrath]] was [[Durin's Bane]]. It is possible that it was the last Balrog in [[Middle-earth]]. It is also possible that other Balrogs were lurking deep in the earth, undiscovered. . .perhaps even TO THIS VERY DAY!! :-O
During the [[Wars of Beleriand]], Morgoth only came out of Angband on [[Fall of Fingolfin|one occasion]]. Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the [[Fall of Gondolin]]: Gothmog by [[Ecthelion]], and another by [[Glorfindel]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>


== Other versions of the Legendarium ==
After the [[War of Wrath]], some Balrogs escaped the destruction of [[Beleriand]] and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth.<ref group=note>At the height of his power, Morgoth's successor [[Sauron]] was said to have reigned over all foul things, perhaps even some of the surviving Balrogs, but there is no evidence of this.</ref> Only one Balrog appears after the defeating of [[Morgoth]]: In the Third Age the [[Dwarves]] of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] unwittingly released the Balrog, afterwards known as [[Durin's Bane]], while mining for ''[[mithril]]'' and were driven out of Moria by the creature.<ref>{{App|Durin}}, pp. 1071-2</ref> Encountered by the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], it was faced by [[Gandalf]] and the two Maiar slew one another.<ref>{{TT|III5}}, pp. 501-2</ref>
In one of Tolkien's early Middle-earth writings, ''[[Lay of the Children of Húrin]]'', "[[Lungorthin]], Lord of Balrogs" is mentioned. It is not, however, certain if it was another name for Gothmog, or it simply meant "a Balrog lord". According to [[Christopher Tolkien]], the latter is more probable, as the name Gothmog was mentioned in the earliest Middle-earth writings, as well as the final version of Tolkien's mythology.


The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:
==Etymology==
{{quote|The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by [[Tuor]] and the [[Gondolin|Gondothlim]] in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe [[Dramborleg]], three before [[Ecthelion]]'s sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "The Fall of Gondolin"}}
{{Pronounce|Balrog.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{quote|There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.|''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', ''Quenta Silmarillion'', Chapter 16, §15}}
''Balrog'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Demon of Might", from the [[root]] ''[[BAL]]'' ("power") + ''[[raug]]/[[rog]]'' ("demon").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''rauko'', ''val''</ref> The demonym was '''''Balrogath'''''.<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, p. 79</ref>


As the [[legendarium]] became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:
In the earlier [[Noldorin]] phase of the language, the word ''Balrog'' was derived from baul ("torment") + rhaug ("demon"), from [[Primitive Elvish]] ''ñgwalaraukô''.<ref name=Etymologies>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "[[ÑGWAL]]", "[[RUK]]"</ref>
{{quote|In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Section 2 (AAm*): note 50}}


It should however be noted that these texts postdate the published ''The Lord of the Rings'', but predate the materials from which the published ''The Silmarillion'' was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word. However, the number of 3 would require the rewriting of much of ''The Silmarillion'', and even the number of 7 causes conflicts. At least two Balrogs were killed at Gondolin. Others were destroyed during the [[War of Wrath]], and the Balrog that ultimately became Durin's Bane fled from that battle unnoticed. While "thousands" clearly is not according to the author's intent a more probable number, taking into account the writings, is that there were at least a dozen.
==Other names==
The [[Quenya]] form is '''''Valarauko''''' (plural ''Valaraukar'').<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S '''Balrog''', p. 48</ref>


==Etymology==
In the Quenya from ''[[The Etymologies]]'', the form was ''malarauko''.<ref name=Etymologies/>
Balrog is [[Sindarin]] for "Demon of Might" from ''[[balan|bal-]]'', "power" and ''[[raug]], [[rog]]'', "demon".


The [[Quenya]] form '''''[[Valarauko]]''''' points to a possible [[Primitive Quendian]] form *''balaraukô''.
A list of [[Old English]] equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, glosses ''Balrog'' as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg'' and ''Bealubroga''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw") or ''broga'' ("terror").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>


In the earlier [[The Etymologies|Etymologies]], the word Balrog was derived from ''[[ñgwalaraukô]]'',<ref>{{HM|LR}}, [[The Etymologies]], RUK</ref> but this is inconsistent with Quenya ''Valarauko''.
==Other versions of the legendarium==
===The Book of Lost Tales===
In the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the Balrogs are mentioned in some of the tales, but they only play an important role in the first that was written, in "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]".<ref>{{LT2|In}}, p. 67</ref> Here some of the details remained later versions, while others were omitted: "Now these were demons with whips of flame and claws of steel by whom he tormented those of the [[Noldoli]] who durst withstand with him in anything – and the [[Eldar]] have called them Malkarauki."<ref name=Gondolin>{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|169}} They were attired with iron armour and helm.<ref name=Gondolin/>{{rp|181, 194}}


A list of [[Old English]] equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, glosses ''[[Balrogs|Balrog]]'' as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg'' and ''Bealubroga''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw") or ''broga'' ("terror").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>
===Number===
The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:
{{blockquote|The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by [[Tuor]] and the [[Gondothlim]] in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe [[Dramborleg]], three before [[Ecthelion]]'s sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two]]'', commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]", pp. 212-3}}
{{blockquote|There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.|''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', ''Quenta Silmarillion'', Chapter 16, §15}}


==Portrayal in adaptations==
As the [[legendarium]] became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:
<center><gallery>
{{blockquote|In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Section 2 (AAm*): note 50}}
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Balrog.jpg|<center>A Balrog as envisioned in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''</center>
File:Thaurlach.jpg|<center>The Balrog Thaurlach from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''</center>
</gallery></center>


If adaptations were to be counted as canon, the matter of Balrog wings would be decided.
It should, however, be noted that these texts postdate the published ''The Lord of the Rings'', but predate the materials from which the published ''The Silmarillion'' was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word.


==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Balrogs in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:Thaurlach.jpg|The Balrog Thaurlach from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:Shadow of War - Tar Goroth.jpg|The Balrog Tar Goroth from ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]''
|File:The Rings of Power (TV series) - Durin's Bane.png|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|The Rings of Power]]'' series
}}
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.
:The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.


'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Durin's Bane has wings, albeit wings that were purely decorative as the Balrog could not fly. [[Peter Jackson|Jackson]]'s Demon of Might was indistinct, a real blend of shadow and fire. Only its horned head, cloven feet, and clawed hands could clearly be seen.
:Durin's Bane is described as having flame and shadow in the shape of wings. [[Peter Jackson|Jackson]]'s Demon of Might was indistinct, a real blend of shadow and fire. Only its horned head, cloven feet, and clawed hands could clearly be seen.


'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
Line 72: Line 89:


'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's The War of the Ring]]'':'''
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's The War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.


'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
Line 78: Line 95:


'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor an Isengard faction. Visual appearance follows the movie version.
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor and Isengard faction. Visual appearance follows the movie version.


'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Unlike the original game, Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.
:Unlike the original game, The Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.


'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Durin's Bane can be observed in two "session plays" (player character not present): one depicts the awakening of the Balrog by Dwarves under [[Durin]] VI, the other depicts dwarves of [[Balin]]'s company fleeing from the ancient evil. After Gandalf defeats him, the lifeless body of [[Durin's Bane]] can be found on the slopes of [[Zirakzigil]]. Despite the players knowing the Balrog dead, another Servant of Sauron tests their will and fears, by portraying an illusion of it. In the illusion, the fight between Gandalf and the Balrog on the [[Endless Stair]] is recreated, until it ends the opposite way of the actual event: the Balrog defeats the Wizard, throwing his lifeless body from Zirakzigil. Players have to defeat the Balrog in order to combat the illusion.
:Besides [[Durin's Bane]], the game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the [[Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu]], where [[Angmar]] meets [[Misty Mountains]]. He fled there are the breaking of [[Thangorodrim]], but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosening and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.
:The game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu, where [[Angmar]] meets [[Misty Mountains]]. He fled there are the breaking of [[Thangorodrim]], but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosing and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.


'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.
:The Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.
 
'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:The game also features another Balrog: named Tar Goroth, who must be killed to complete a specific side-quest, has wings and is able to leap over large distances without flying.
 
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'', Season One'''
:'''Episode 5: ''[[Partings]]'':'''
::In the [[The Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir|obscure apocryphal myth]] that the [[Gil-galad|High King Gil-galad]] compels [[Elrond]] to recount, the Balrog depicted within the visual representation of the story has distintive wings covered by smoke.
:'''Episode 7: ''[[The Eye]]'':'''
::When [[Durin III|King Durin III]] throws an orange leaf of the Great Tree in [[Lindon]] down the [[mithril]] mine shaft before ordering the mine to be sealed up, the leaf fell to the very depths of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] beneath the Mithril vein. As the leaf lands, it catches on fire due to being in close proximity to the Balrog later known as Durin's Bane. Upon being disturbed, the Balrog roars. Whether this roar was out of anger or annoyance is not known.


== See Also ==
== See also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Balrogs|Images of Balrogs]]
* [[Balrogs/Wings]]
* [[Balrogs/Wings]]
== External links ==
* Conrad Dunkerson, ''[http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB.html The Truth About Balrogs]''
{{references|note}}


{{ainur}}
{{ainur}}
{{references}}
* {{S|Vala}}
* {{S|Captivity}}
* {{S|Flight}}
* {{FR|Bridge}}
== External Links ==
* Conrad Dunkerson, ''[http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB.html The Truth About Balrogs]''
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Fays]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[de:Balrog]]
[[de:Balrog]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:balrogs]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:balrogs]]
[[fi:Balrogit]]
[[fi:Balrogit]]

Latest revision as of 12:49, 29 December 2023

The name Balrog refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Balrog (disambiguation).
Balrogs
People
Thomas Rouillard - Valaraukar.jpg
"Valaraukar" by Thomas Rouillard
General Information
Other namesValaraukar (Q)
OriginsCreation of the Ainur
LocationsPrimarily Angband,
Moria (Durin's Bane)
AffiliationMorgoth
MembersGothmog, Durin's Bane, Lungorthin
Physical Description
LifespanImmortal
DistinctionsMan-like, surrounded by shadow and fire, covered in smoke
(cf. Balrogs/Wings)
Average heightTwice the height of a man
WeaponryWhips, swords, axes
GalleryImages of Balrogs
"... in Utumno he gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption: their hearts were of fire, but they were cloaked in darkness, and terror went before them; they had whips of flame."
― Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"

The Balrogs were Maiar corrupted by Morgoth during the creation of Arda, who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords. Famed Balrogs include Gothmog, slain by Ecthelion, and Durin's Bane, slain by Gandalf.

History[edit | edit source]

Balrogs, also called Valaraukar, were originally Ainur created by Ilúvatar, probably those who joined Melkor during his discordance in the Music of the Ainur. After entering into Eä, they were Maiar, lesser spirits at the service of the Valar.

...of the Maiar many were drawn to [Melkor's] splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs, demons of terror.
—Valaquenta: Of the Enemies

They took the forms of demons with hearts of fire and whips of flame. Melkor gathered them about him after the fall of the Two Lamps and they dwelt in Utumno.[1] When this fortress was destroyed by the Valar, they fled to the west and hid in the pits of Angband, awaiting their master's return.[2]

When Morgoth and Ungoliant escaped from Valinor many years later with the Silmarils, the Balrogs were still awaiting their master in Angband. After Ungoliant threatened Morgoth, his cry was heard by them. Then the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and traveled to Lammoth like a tempest of fire. With their whips they destroyed Ungoliant's webs and made her take flight.[2]

The Balrogs were first encountered by the Elves during the Dagor-nuin-Giliath ("Battle under the Stars") when the Noldorin Exiles returned to Middle-earth at the end of the First Age.[3] After the victory of the Noldor over Morgoth's forces, the Elf Lord Fëanor pressed on towards Angband, but the Balrogs came up against him. He was surrounded and fought long against them before being mortally wounded by Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs. Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.[4]

During the Wars of Beleriand, Morgoth only came out of Angband on one occasion. Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the Fall of Gondolin: Gothmog by Ecthelion, and another by Glorfindel.[5]

After the War of Wrath, some Balrogs escaped the destruction of Beleriand and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth.[note 1] Only one Balrog appears after the defeating of Morgoth: In the Third Age the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm unwittingly released the Balrog, afterwards known as Durin's Bane, while mining for mithril and were driven out of Moria by the creature.[6] Encountered by the Fellowship of the Ring, it was faced by Gandalf and the two Maiar slew one another.[7]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Balrog is Sindarin for "Demon of Might", from the root BAL ("power") + raug/rog ("demon").[8] The demonym was Balrogath.[9]

In the earlier Noldorin phase of the language, the word Balrog was derived from baul ("torment") + rhaug ("demon"), from Primitive Elvish ñgwalaraukô.[10]

Other names[edit | edit source]

The Quenya form is Valarauko (plural Valaraukar).[11]

In the Quenya from The Etymologies, the form was malarauko.[10]

A list of Old English equivalents of Elvish words, glosses Balrog as having the equivalent Bealuwearg and Bealubroga. As noted by Christopher Tolkien, the Old English word contains the elements bealu ("evil"; as in bale(ful)) and wearg ("wolf, outlaw") or broga ("terror").[12]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

The Book of Lost Tales[edit | edit source]

In the earliest version of the legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales, the Balrogs are mentioned in some of the tales, but they only play an important role in the first that was written, in "The Fall of Gondolin".[13] Here some of the details remained later versions, while others were omitted: "Now these were demons with whips of flame and claws of steel by whom he tormented those of the Noldoli who durst withstand with him in anything – and the Eldar have called them Malkarauki."[14]:169 They were attired with iron armour and helm.[14]:181, 194

Number[edit | edit source]

The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:

The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by Tuor and the Gondothlim in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe Dramborleg, three before Ecthelion's sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house.
—The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two, commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "The Fall of Gondolin", pp. 212-3

There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.
—The Lost Road and Other Writings, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 16, §15

As the legendarium became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:

In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'
—Morgoth's Ring, Section 2 (AAm*): note 50

It should, however, be noted that these texts postdate the published The Lord of the Rings, but predate the materials from which the published The Silmarillion was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word.

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Balrogs in adaptations
Durin's Bane in The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)  
Durin's Bane in The Fellowship of the Ring  
The Balrog Thaurlach from The Lord of the Rings Online  
The Balrog Tar Goroth from Middle-earth: Shadow of War  
Durin's Bane in The Rings of Power series  

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.

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

Durin's Bane is described as having flame and shadow in the shape of wings. Jackson's Demon of Might was indistinct, a real blend of shadow and fire. Only its horned head, cloven feet, and clawed hands could clearly be seen.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

The Balrog has, once again, wings. The fight sequence, in which the player is Gandalf, takes considerably longer: only after a short fight on the bridge does Gandalf let it collapse.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

The chase up the Endless Stair and the slime Balrog were omitted due to budget constraints.[source?] However, part of Gandalf's battle with the Balrog is shown at the beginning of the film, and the fight atop Zirak-Zigil is seen in a flashback after Gandalf's return.

2003: Sierra's The War of the Ring:

The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age:

The players assist Gandalf in his fight with the Balrog.

2004: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth:

The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor and Isengard faction. Visual appearance follows the movie version.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Unlike the original game, The Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Besides Durin's Bane, the game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu, where Angmar meets Misty Mountains. He fled there are the breaking of Thangorodrim, but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosening and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.

2009: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest:

The Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.

2017: Middle-earth: Shadow of War:

The game also features another Balrog: named Tar Goroth, who must be killed to complete a specific side-quest, has wings and is able to leap over large distances without flying.

2022: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Season One

Episode 5: Partings:
In the obscure apocryphal myth that the High King Gil-galad compels Elrond to recount, the Balrog depicted within the visual representation of the story has distintive wings covered by smoke.
Episode 7: The Eye:
When King Durin III throws an orange leaf of the Great Tree in Lindon down the mithril mine shaft before ordering the mine to be sealed up, the leaf fell to the very depths of Khazad-dûm beneath the Mithril vein. As the leaf lands, it catches on fire due to being in close proximity to the Balrog later known as Durin's Bane. Upon being disturbed, the Balrog roars. Whether this roar was out of anger or annoyance is not known.

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Notes

  1. ↑ At the height of his power, Morgoth's successor Sauron was said to have reigned over all foul things, perhaps even some of the surviving Balrogs, but there is no evidence of this.

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of the Elves", p. 1128
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk", pp. 1071-2
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The White Rider", pp. 501-2
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries rauko, val
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Commentary on the second section of the Annals of Aman", p. 79
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entries "ÑGWAL", "RUK"
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), entry S Balrog, p. 48
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: Appendix 1: Fragments of a translation of The Quenta Noldorinwa into Old English, made by Ælfwine or Eriol; together with Old English equivalents of Elvish names", p. 209
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel": "Notes and Commentary", p. 67
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin"
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