Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Legendarium

2011-10-20T14:03:53Z

67.52.35.4:

{{rewrite}}
The '''legendarium''' is the entirety of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] works concerning his imagined world of [[Arda]].

Tolkien himself used the term<ref>{{L|131}}.</ref><ref>{{L|153}}.</ref><ref>{{L|154}}.</ref><ref>{{L|163}}.</ref>, and also referred to his "'''mythology'''" in the same sense.<ref>{{L|19}}</ref><ref>{{L|180}}</ref><ref>{{L|229}}</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 135</ref>

==Published works by Tolkien on his legendarium==

===Writings of the legendarium===

Here follows a list of all published texts by Tolkien relating to [[Arda]]. For a discussion of the "canonical" status of the texts, consult the page ''[[Canon]]''.

*Books
**''[[The Hobbit]]'' (see also ''[[The History of The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition|The Annotated Hobbit]]'')
**''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see also ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'')
**''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]''
**''[[The Road Goes Ever On (book)|The Road Goes Ever On]]''
**''[[Bilbo's Last Song]]''
**''[[The Silmarillion]]''
**''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' (many of the letters discusses issues of the legendarium)
**''[[The Monsters and the Critics|The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays]]'' (see [[The Monsters and the Critics#Relation to the Legendarium|here]])
**''[[Unfinished Tales]]''
**''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''
**''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' (includes fragments of unpublished writings)

*Journals and other media
**''[[Vinyar Tengwar]]'' (various issues)
**''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' (various issues)

===Pictures of the legendarium===

*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]''
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]''

===Other sources===
More of Tolkien's vision of his legendarium can be found in [[:CATEGORY:Interviews with J.R.R. Tolkien|interviews conducted with him]]. Hints of lesser value (i.e., hard to verify the authenticity), may also be found in [[Index:Reminiscences of J.R.R. Tolkien|reminiscences]].

{{references}}
==External links==
*{{WP|Tolkien's legendarium}}

[[Category:Tolkien Gateway research]]
[[Category:Tolkien studies]]
[[de:Legendarium]]

Talk:Dark Land

2011-10-14T14:47:22Z

67.52.35.4:

I think the article confuses the Africa-like subcontinent on the south of m-E and the Lemuria-like landmass in the East Sea. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 11:48, 14 August 2009 (UTC)

:Upon checking, yes. The "Africa" is [[Hither Lands]]. I'm not sure where the term "Dark Country" comes from. Originally, the article stated it was "like Antarctica and Australia if they were fused tegether", but I removed that because it broke the fourth wall and hadn't bothered to read up on it. I cleaned it up some more. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 12:03, 14 August 2009 (UTC)

"It broke the fourth wall"? Because it referenced real world locations? Well, how can it do that? This is a Wiki! There is nothing that article could contain that could break the fourth wall any more than a review or a documentary! And don't delete something simply because you didn't check up on it. Simply address the lack of a cited source. If a source contradicts it, THEN you delete it. --anonymous user.

Ungoliant

2010-06-08T14:48:38Z

67.52.35.4:

{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
[[Image:Guy Gondron - Morgoth and Ungoliant.jpg|thumb|250px|''Morgoth and Ungoliant'' by [[Guy Gondron]].]]
'''Ungoliant''' was an evil spirit in the form of a [[spider]] who dwelt in [[Avathar]] in the [[First Age]].

==History==
It is thought that she may have been one of the [[Maiar]] whom [[Melkor]] corrupted long ago, but she is not listed among the [[Ainur]]. It is also said, arguably separately, that she came from the darkness above the skies of Arda, and this reference has led some to believe she may be an incarnation of darkness or emptiness itself, as this seems very consistent with the rest of her character.

Ungoliant aided [[Melkor]] in his attack on the [[Two Trees of Valinor]]; she drained the Trees of their sap and poisoned them after Melkor wounded them, and she drained dry the Wells of [[Varda]], so that nothing remained of the Light that was before Sun or Moon, except in the [[Silmarils]] of [[Fëanor]]. She and Melkor fled to [[Middle-earth]] to escape justice at the hands of the [[Valar]].

Melkor had promised to reward her, "Yea, with both hands", and after their flight from [[Valinor]], the Dark Lord indeed gave her many gems of the [[Ñoldor]], but withheld the Silmarils in his right hand. He refused to give them to the Great Spider to be devoured, for he desired them greatly, and Ungoliant would have slain Melkor in the ensuing battle had not the [[Balrogs]] come and saved their master, causing Ungoliant to flee to the [[Ered Gorgoroth]] in [[Beleriand]].

While there, she had many offspring, including [[Shelob]], as well as various other creatures infesting the Ered Gorgoroth, which came to be a place of horror. The dates of her existence are not precisely known; in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Quenta Silmarillion]], Chapter 9, ''Of the Flight of the Noldor'', we are told that she "went whither she would into the forgotten south of the world" shortly before the [[First Age]], and that "some have said that she ended long ago, when in her uttermost famine she devoured herself at last." In contrast, a rough sketch of [[Eärendil]]'s voyages by Tolkien suggests that he slew Ungoliant in the south.

==Etymology==
The name is pronounced {{IPA|[uŋˈɡoljant]}}. In the form ''Ungoliant'' the name is technically [[Sindarin]], but is a direct loan from [[Quenya]] '''Ungweliantë''' (''[[ungwë]]'' + ''[[liantë]]'': "dark spider"; pron. {{IPA|[uŋʷˌɡʷeliˈante]}}); the strictly Sindarin form being '''Delduthling''' "dark terror spider." She is also called "gloomweaver," '''Wirilomë''' ([[Vanyarin]], {{IPA|[ˌwiriˈlome]}}) or '''Virilomë''' ([[Noldorin]], {{IPA|[ˌwiriˈlome]}}) in Quenya, '''Gwerlum''' ({{IPA|[ɡʷerlum]}}) in Sindarin.

{{references}}
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Evil]]

Shelob

2009-11-04T16:59:18Z

67.52.35.4:

{{cleanup}}
'''Shelob''' was a child of [[Ungoliant]], a female demon who took the form of a [[Spiders|Spider]]

She appears at the end of the second volume of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', where her attack leads to [[Sam Gamgee]]'s key decision to take over the quest to destroy the [[One Ring]].
{{quote|There age-long she had dwelt, an evil thing in spider-form, even such as once of old had lived in the Land of the Elves in the West that is now under the Sea, such as Beren fought in the Mountains of Terror in Doriath, and so came to Lúthien upon the green sward amid the hemlocks in the moonlight long ago. How Shelob came there, flying from ruin, no tale tells, for out of the Dark Years few tales have come. But still she was there, who was there before Sauron, and before the first stone of Barad-dûr; and she served none but herself, drinking the blood of Elves and Men, bloated and grown fat with endless brooding on her feasts, weaving webs of shadows; for all living things were her food, and her vomit darkness. Far and wide her lesser broods, bastards of the miserable mates, her own offspring, that she slew, spread from glen to glen, from the Ephel Dúath to the eastern hills, to Dol Guldur and the fastnesses of Mirkwood. But none could rival her, Shelob the Great, last child of Ungoliant to trouble the unhappy world.|[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Shelob's Lair]]}}

==Shelob in ''The Lord of the Rings''==
[[Image:John Howe - Sam and Shelob.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Sam]] battles ''Shelob'' by [[John Howe]]]]Shelob was a huge creature in spider form, apparently the spawn of [[Ungoliant]] and some lesser spider of [[Arda]]. She dwelled high in the mountains of [[Mordor]], having established her lair there before [[Sauron]] claimed Mordor as his own. Shelob spent her early days feeding off elves and men, but as elves and men became scarce in the area, she fed upon [[orcs]]. Sauron would sometimes send her captured prisoners for whom he had no further use and amuse himself watching how she played with her prey. Even though they did not communicate, Sauron and Shelob understood each other. Shelob was like a pet to Sauron, and she served as a secure guardian of the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]] to prevent any intruders from entering the dark land.

Her lair was along the path that [[Sam Gamgee]] and [[Frodo Baggins]] took while seeking [[Mount Doom]]. Their guide, [[Gollum]] (whom the orcs of the Tower of [[Cirith Ungol]] call "Her Shelob's Sneak"), had reached some sort of understanding with her, and he led the hobbits directly into her trap.

While put off by the [[Phial of Galadriel]] in the tunnels, she intercepted them again outside and attacked Frodo, stinging him into a death-like coma. Sam managed to defeat her by letting her impale herself upon [[Sting]] when she tried to crush him under her massive body. Wounded, she fled to her lair and was never seen again.

Thinking Frodo dead, Sam took the [[One Ring]] from him and left his body behind, but discovered by listening to a party of Orcs that Shelob's venom was not intended to kill its victims but only to render them unconscious and keep their meat fresh.

==Early History and Associations==
Before moving to [[Torech Ungol]] beneath [[Cirith Ungol]], Shelob lived in [[Beleriand]], in the [[Ered Gorgoroth]].

Shelob's descendants (upon whom she would often feed) included the smaller, but still giant, spiders of Mirkwood, who captured [[Bilbo Baggins]]' Dwarf allies during the [[Quest of Erebor]].

==Etyomolgy==
The name ''Shelob'' is derived from "lob", an archaic English word for spider. A variation, "cob" is the derivation of the word "cobweb". The first element, "she", simply mentions the spider's gender.
==Movie Adaptation==
[[Image:Shelob's face.jpg|thumb|left|Shelob's face from [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]].]]
In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Shelob's appearance is held over until the middle of the third movie, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.

In the movie, Shelob can be seen to have a retractable venomous sting at the rear end between the spinnerets, resembling a wasp's sting. This is very much unlike real spiders which inject venom with their fangs but accurate relative to the novel. Shelob also appears to have a gaping mouth, whereas real spiders can ingest only liquid. In the book, on the other hand, "clusters" of eyes are mentioned, which may suggest compound eyes like those of insects; the Shelob in the movie does ''not'' have compound eyes, which is appropriate. A hunting spider of the family [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycosidae Lycosidae], which Shelob most closely resembles, would have two large eyes facing forward, and a few smaller ones almost hidden below. The only spiders that can reasonably be said to have "clustered" eyes (though not true compound eyes) are the daddy long-legs spiders of the family Pholcidae, but Shelob does not resemble these rather spindly and fragile spiders in other aspects of her physique.

===See also===
* [[:Category:Images of Shelob|Images of Shelob]]

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Creatures]]

[[de:Kankra]]

Ungoliant

2009-11-04T16:57:14Z

67.52.35.4: /* History */

{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
[[Image:Guy Gondron - Morgoth and Ungoliant.jpg|thumb|250px|''Morgoth and Ungoliant'' by [[Guy Gondron]].]]
'''Ungoliant''' was an evil spirit in the form of a spider who dwelt in [[Avathar]] in the [[First Age]].

==History==
It is thought that she may have been one of the [[Maiar]] whom [[Melkor]] corrupted long ago, but she is not listed among the [[Ainur]]. It is also said, arguably separately, that she came from the darkness above the skies of Arda, and this reference has led some to believe she may be an incarnation of darkness or emptiness itself, as this seems very consistent with the rest of her character.

Ungoliant aided [[Melkor]] in his attack on the [[Two Trees of Valinor]]; she drained the Trees of their sap and poisoned them after Melkor wounded them, and she drained dry the Wells of [[Varda]], so that nothing remained of the Light that was before Sun or Moon, except in the [[Silmarils]] of [[Fëanor]]. She and Melkor fled to [[Middle-earth]] to escape justice at the hands of the [[Valar]].

Melkor had promised to reward her, "Yea, with both hands", and after their flight from [[Valinor]], the Dark Lord indeed gave her many gems of the [[Ñoldor]], but withheld the Silmarils in his right hand. He refused to give them to the Great Spider to be devoured, for he desired them greatly, and Ungoliant would have slain Melkor in the ensuing battle had not the [[Balrogs]] come and saved their master, causing Ungoliant to flee to the [[Ered Gorgoroth]] in [[Beleriand]].

While there, she had many offspring, including [[Shelob]], as well as various other creatures infesting the Ered Gorgoroth, which came to be a place of horror. The dates of her existence are not precisely known; in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Quenta Silmarillion]], Chapter 9, ''Of the Flight of the Noldor'', we are told that she "went whither she would into the forgotten south of the world" shortly before the [[First Age]], and that "some have said that she ended long ago, when in her uttermost famine she devoured herself at last." In contrast, a rough sketch of [[Eärendil]]'s voyages by Tolkien suggests that he slew Ungoliant in the south.

==Etymology==
The name is pronounced {{IPA|[uŋˈgɔ.li.ant]}}. In the form ''Ungoliant'' the name is technically [[Sindarin]], but is a direct loan from [[Quenya]] ''[[ungwë]]'' + ''[[liantë]]'': "dark spider"; the strictly Sindarin form being '''Delduthling''' "dark terror spider." She is also called "gloomweaver," '''Wirilomë''' in Quenya, '''Gwerlum''' in Sindarin.

[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]

Morgoth

2009-11-04T16:51:52Z

67.52.35.4: /* The Fall of Gondolin */

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Angel Falto - Morgoth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Morgoth
| othernames=See [[Morgoth#Names|names]]
| created=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| years=c. [[Years of the Lamps 1|Y.L. 1]]-[[Years of the Lamps 1500|Y.L. 1500]], c. [[Years of the Lamps 3400|Y.L. 3400]]-[[Years of the Trees 1100|Y.T. 1100]], c. [[Years of the Trees 1500|Y.T. 1500]]-[[First Age 590|F.A. 590]]
| age=
| destroyed=Thrust into the [[Void]] [[First Age 590|F.A. 590]]
| realm=[[Utumno]], [[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Ainur]]
| appearance=As [[Dark Lord]], assumed tall, dark, terrible form
| accomplishments=Disrupted the [[Music of the Ainur|Music]], [[Arda Marred|corrupted]] [[Arda]], created [[Orcs]], destroyed the [[Two Trees]], stole the [[Silmarils]], took over [[Beleriand]], destroyed the [[Two Lamps]]
|}}
'''Morgoth''', also known as '''[[Melkor]]''', was the greatest of the [[Ainur]]. He fell from glory when he disrupted the [[Music of the Ainur]] and defied the will of [[Eru Ilúvatar]]. Morgoth corrupted many of the Ainur to his allegiance, fought the [[Valar]], and corrupted [[Arda]]. His theft of the [[Silmarils]] and [[Wars of Beleriand|wars]] against [[Elves]] and [[Men]] encompassed much of the history of the [[First Age]]. Eventually, Morgoth was bound in chains by the Valar and thrown into the [[Void]], leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his servant [[Sauron]], to trouble the world. One day, according to [[Final Battle|prophecy]], Morgoth will rise again and be destroyed in the [[Dagor Dagorath]] by [[Túrin Turambar]].

==History==
The first and most powerful of the [[Ainur]] that [[Ilúvatar]] created was a spirit known as Melkor. Because he wandered through the [[Void]] in an attempt to find and use the [[Flame Imperishable]], the source of [[Ilúvatar]]'s creative activity, Melkor developed ideas unlike those of the other Ainur. His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, for he wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void and was dissatisfied by the fact that Ilúvatar had not done so. However, Melkor could not find the Flame, for it was not in the Void, but with Ilúvatar.

===The Music of the Ainur===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Melkor Weaves Opposing Music.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Melkor weaves Opposing Music'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When the Ainur [[Music of the Ainur|made music]], Melkor weaved his strange thoughts into his song. His song clashed against the Theme of Ilúvatar, disturbing the Ainur around him and causing some of them to attune their music to his. For a while the Theme of Ilúvatar and the discords of Melkor warred against one another. But Eru smiled, and sent forth a new theme. Most of the Ainur joined with it, but Melkor rebelliously opposed it even more violently. At last many of the Ainur stopped singing in dismay, and Melkor’s discords gained dominance. Eru sent out a third Theme against Melkor, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable. But though Melkor could not defeat it, still he opposed it. At last Eru halted the music completely with a single chord.

Eru then publicly rebuked Melkor, saying that all music found its source in himself, and thus Melkor could not create his own song or truly alter the Themes of Ilúvatar. Thus, though Melkor opposed Eru to his last breath, he only furthered the cause of Ilúvatar in new and wondrous ways. Melkor was shamed and angered by this judgment, but hid his feelings. When Eru showed the Ainur the product of their music, [[Eä]], Melkor was one of those who begged to enter [[Arda]], pretending to be willing to cultivate it and guide it for Ilúvatar’s glory. He actually wished to dominate Arda and its creatures, especially the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]. Nonetheless, he was allowed to enter Eä and come to Arda with the other [[Valar]]. Once there, Melkor declared to his colleagues that he was the master of Arda henceforth. [[Manwë]], his brother, did not understand his evil, but fearing that Melkor might try and disrupt their labors in Arda, called forth many more Ainur to protect them. Melkor departed to the remote regions of Eä, leaving the world in peace for a while.

===Wars of the Valar===
But Melkor took form, great and terrible, and attacked the Valar’s work in preparing the Earth. There was war, and though Melkor disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit named [[Tulkas]] came to Arda from other regions of Eä to combat him. After Tulkas drove Melkor away, the Valar managed to complete Arda, and the world was established.

The Valar dwelt in a land called [[Almaren]], and raised up [[two lamps]] to light the young earth: [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]]. Melkor, meanwhile, had attracted the attention and even in a few cases admiration from the [[Maiar]], the lesser spirits of [[Arda]]. Melkor had many spies among them, and from them learned all that the Valar did, and bided his time. As the Valar sat down to a feast at the completion of their labors, Melkor gathered together those loyal to him, and looking down on the beautiful Arda was filled with hatred. Tulkas was wedded to [[Nessa]] at that feast, and she danced before the Valar. Tulkas fell asleep, and that is when Melkor struck.

Melkor with his host passed over the [[Walls of Night]] and returned to Arda once more. Without the watchfulness of Tulkas, the Valar were unaware of his coming, and he began to delve in the depths of the earth, making a fortress called [[Utumno]] beneath the mountains in the dimness of Illuin. The [[Spring of Arda]] became blighted as evil flowed out of the fortress. Death and illness took the green things of Arda, and animals fought and killed one another, while flies brooded in massive numbers. The Valar knew then that Melkor was at work, and sought his hiding place.

But Melkor struck the first blow. He destroyed the Two Lamps, and caused the world to be filled with flowing fire and surging water. The symmetry of Arda was broken. And in the darkness and confusion Melkor escaped, returning to Utumno. Though together the Valar were stronger than Melkor, they could not punish him at that time, for they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin. The Spring of Arda had ended in turmoil.

===Dominance of Middle-earth===
With Almaren destroyed, the Valar departed to a new continent across the [[Belegaer|sea]], [[Aman]], and built [[Valinor]]. They also established new sources of light, the [[Two Trees]], to light the world. Melkor, meanwhile, wandered across the face of [[Middle-earth]], in various guises, but armed with cold and fire. Some of the Valar were unwilling to forsake Middle-earth, however; [[Ulmo]] and [[Yavanna]], particularly. Also [[Oromë]] would ride in Middle-earth, killing the terrors of Melkor, who began to fear that the Valar might rise up against him in wrath.

Melkor brooded in the north, breeding great monsters, attended by his Maiar-servants later known as [[Balrogs]]. He also created another fortress and armory called [[Angband]], in the northwest of Middle Earth, to resist any Valarin attacks. He placed his greatest servant, [[Sauron]], in control of that stronghold. Melkor, by wandering about, also learned of the awakening of the first of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], the [[Elves]]. He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them. Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into [[Orcs]] by torture and breeding.

===Time in Valinor===
The Valar were not long, however, in discovering the Elves. Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Melkor, Manwë decided that Ilúvatar wished them to recover Middle-earth at all costs. They laid [[Siege of Utumno|siege to Utumno]], and eventually destroyed it after a great battle during which the face of Middle-earth was transformed. Melkor was captured and chained with the chain [[Angainor]], but Sauron escaped. Melkor was imprisoned in the halls of [[Mandos]], and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge.

At the end of his time, Melkor was presented to his brother Manwë. Melkor, swallowing his pride with thoughts of vengeance, prostrated himself before the throne of Manwë, begging for pardon. Manwë granted him thus, though [[Ulmo]] and [[Tulkas]] were displeased with this judgement. Yet the Valar would not let him leave their sight, and he stayed in [[Valmar]]. Before long, he began to exert his corrupting influence on the Elves, especially the [[Noldor]]. For the [[Vanyar]] did not trust him, and the [[Teleri]] he thought too weak for his designs, but the Noldor were curious, and eager to learn what he could teach them.

===Revenge against the Valar===
[[Image:John Howe - Melkor and Ungoliant before the Two Trees.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''Melkor and Ungoliant before the Two Trees'' by [[John Howe]]]]
In time Melkor found his greatest adversary and yet greatest tool in the form of [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of [[Finwë]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. Fëanor was the creator of the [[Silmarils]], which Melkor lusted after. As Melkor subtly spread lies and half-truths about the Valar and the Coming of [[Men]] in the form of rumors, Fëanor was greatly influenced, though he hated Melkor himself and had no idea that he was their source. His new ideas of wide lands and realms to rule touched the heart of Fëanor, and the hearts of many other Noldor. They began to murmur against the Valar, and the peace of Valinor was disturbed. Fëanor soon stirred up trouble, and while on trial before the Valar it was revealed that Melkor was at the bottom of the murmurings and troubles. Tulkas left straightaway to deal with him, but found Melkor gone. He had escaped.

Melkor was not seen for a while, but then appeared at [[Formenos]] to Fëanor, tempting him with words of friendship, and an offer of vengeance against the Valar whom Fëanor perceived had wronged him. Fëanor wavered, but Melkor pressed his advantage too much. He touched a chord about the Silmarils, and Fëanor, seeing his designs and lust for the jewels, cursed and rejected him. Melkor departed in anger, and went south past the mountain of [[Hyarmentir]], to the shadowed valley of [[Avathar]] where there dwelt [[Ungoliant]], a mysterious dark spirit in spider-form once his servant, but who had disowned him after his failure. After some time he convinced her to dismiss her fears with the offer of rich rewards, and she wove a cloak of shadow about them both.

Then Melkor and Ungoliant attacked while there was festival in [[Valmar]]. Melkor drained the [[Two Trees]] with his lance, and Ungoliant drank the blood. Then she drank dry the [[Wells of Varda]], and the two fled north to [[Formenos]], leaving the land once more in darkness and confusion. At Formenos Melkor slew [[Finwë]] and ravished the treasury of Fëanor, including the [[Silmarils]]. Then he passed over the icy [[Helcaraxë]], entering once more into [[Middle-earth]]. He was soon back in [[Angband]]. He had struck swiftly and surely. But Fëanor cursed him, naming him [[Morgoth]], and by that name he was known ever after to the Eldar.

===Return to Beleriand===
Once in safety, Ungoliant turned on her partner, demanding the jewels of Fëanor. The spider had grown in size and strength, and Morgoth feared her suddenly. He reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful gems, and Ungoliant devoured them. But Morgoth refused to give up the Silmarils, though she tortured him. His screams went out to [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]] and the [[balrogs]], and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Ungoliant away with their whips. So Morgoth returned to Angband.

===Wars of Beleriand===
Morgoth rebuilt the fortress there, and learned of the Elves who had remained in Middle-earth. [[Elu Thingol]] and the [[Sindar]] dwelt in the woodland kingdom of [[Doriath]], while [[Círdan]] and the [[Teleri]] lived at the [[Falas]] and [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]] and the [[Nandor]] camped in [[Ossiriand]]. Morgoth made war on Thingol, surrounding Doriath and cutting Thingol off from Círdan. But Thingol was able to contact Denethor for help, and the Nandor joined with the Sindar to fight the [[Orcs]] between [[Aros]] and [[Gelion]]. Caught between the two armies, the Orcs of Morgoth were utterly defeated in the [[First Battle]]. Fleeing north they were intercepted and further demolished by the [[Naugrim]]. The Orcs attacking Círdan were more successful – pushing the Teleri to the very edge of the sea.

====Dagor-nuin-Giliath====
Morgoth was confronted by further challenges when Fëanor landed in Middle-earth. They set up at [[Mithrim]], but Morgoth [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath|attacked them]] quickly, hoping to dislodge them before they settled in too much and became a threat. But the Elves were just come out of [[Aman]], and they had the light of that country in their eyes. The Orcs dreaded them, and were swept before them like chaff before wind. Fëanor pursued them even nigh to the [[Thangorodrim]] and the gates of [[Angband]], but Morgoth sent out Gothmog and his balrogs. Fëanor was killed, but the balrogs were driven back. The Falas were freed, and though Morgoth had practically lost [[Beleriand]] outside of the [[Ered Engrin]], he was comforted in the fact that Fëanor was dead.

====Dagor Aglareb====
Yet [[Fingolfin]] came next, with his sons and the sons of [[Finarfin]]. They marched even to the gates of Angband, and yet could not go farther. As the Elves began to build (or rebuild) their kingdoms in Middle-earth, Morgoth waited sixty years before he struck again. It was the [[Dagor Aglareb]], the “Glorious Battle”, called such because it was a great victory for the Elves. Fingolfin and [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, combined their strength and repelled Morgoth. They then set up the [[Siege of Angband]], which was designed to keep Morgoth holed up in his fortress.

====Dagor Bragollach and Fingolfin====
[[Image:John Howe - Morgoth vs. Fingolfin.png|thumb|right|300px|''Morgoth vs. Fingolfin'' by [[John Howe]]]]Though Morgoth was not as helpless as he appeared, he remained dormant and hidden until [[First Age 455|455]]. Then he surged forth suddenly, taking the slackened besiegers by surprise. Flames covered the formerly green [[Ard-galen]] (causing the battle to be known as the [[Dagor Bragollach]]), and several Noldor-lords fell in the succeeding combat. Much of Beleriand was overrun and [[Dorthonion]] was taken, as were northern [[Sirion]] and [[Maglor's Gap]]. In a single stroke Morgoth had broken the Siege of Angband, but the victory was not as complete as he would have preferred. [[Himring]] and [[Hithlum]] had held against him. King [[Fingolfin]] was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Angband. There he challenged Morgoth to single combat. Morgoth dared not refuse, for fear of showing himself a coward in front of his servants. With [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]], the Hammer of the Underworld, he fought Fingolfin long. The Elf-lord gave him seven wounds, but at last was struck down. As Morgoth placed his foot on Fingolfin to crush him, Fingolfin struck one last time, and Morgoth’s blood filled the pools made by his hammer. Morgoth could not desecrate the body, for [[Thorondor]] flew into his face and escaped with the body.

====The Quest for the Silmaril====
For some time after that the world lay in watchful discomfort. The southern part of [[Beleriand]] was, for the most part, free from Morgoth’s direct wrath. There arose two in [[Doriath]], [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] of [[House of Bëor|Bëor’s House]] and [[Lúthien Tinúviel]], Thingol’s daughter. These two lovers embarked on the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], in the process removing [[Sauron]] from [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] and entering Angband in disguise. Morgoth lusted after Lúthien when she stood exposed in his presence, but she danced for him and lured him to sleep with her magic robes. One of the Silmarils was stolen from his crown, and Morgoth bore only two until the [[War of Wrath]].

====Nirnaeth Arnoediad====
Some time after, in [[First Age 471|471]], [[Maedhros]] made a great [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]] with the [[Naugrim]], [[Edain]], and other [[Noldor]]. They marched to challenge Morgoth, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces. But Morgoth through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the [[Easterlings]] in a huge battle in which he prevailed, and many princes and rulers of Men, Elves, and Dwarves fell. Thus the battle was named ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', “Battle of Unnumbered Tears”. Morgoth’s victory was almost complete, as he razed [[Hithlum]], the [[Falas]], the [[March of Maedhros]], as well as [[Nargothrond]] in [[First Age 495|495]]. But [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], escaped by the valiant actions of the [[House of Hador]], the last of the [[Edain]] in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of the Sirion]].

===The Curse of Morgoth===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth Punishes Húrin.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Morgoth Punishes [[Húrin]]'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Morgoth took [[Húrin]], who had been captured during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Morgoth cursed. Upon the death of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], Húrin’s children, Morgoth released Húrin to further his cause.

===The Fall of Gondolin===
Some time later, by the aid of [[Maeglin]], a traitor-elf, Morgoth discovered and laid siege to [[Gondolin]]. [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]] King, the last male heir of Fingolfin’s house, was killed during the siege. Morgoth’s victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]] his captain and marshall of his armies. and many other high-ranking officers in the battle. Also, a small remnant including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]] escaped the destruction of the city, bearing their son [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]].

===The War of Wrath===
This was to be Morgoth’s doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to [[Valinor]] seeking the pardon of the [[Valar]]. This he earned, and the Valar advanced across [[Belegaer]] with a mighty host. Morgoth loosed all his demons and defenses against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the [[Eagles]], and [[Ancalagon]] was brought down by Eärendil himself from his ship, [[Vingilot]]. Morgoth was seized in his fortress Angband, the Silmarils were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more. This time, however, he was ejected from Arda and cast into the [[Void]]. But though he had been vanquished, Arda was forever marred, and there was one still at large to carry on his evil legacy, if to a far lesser degree: his greatest servant, the fallen Maia [[Sauron]].

==The Future==
Morgoth remains in the Void, unable to return to Arda as long as the Valar maintain their power over it. Nevertheless, according to the [[Second Prophecy of Mandos]], Morgoth will come back and attack Arda. He will fight a great battle, called the [[Dagor Dagorath]], against the Valar and their allies, but will ultimately be slain by [[Túrin Turambar]], the Man he cursed. By finally defeating Morgoth, Túrin will avenge not only himself, but all members of the race of Men, since Morgoth seduced them long ago.

==Legacy==
Morgoth's will was suffused into the matter of Arda, so in a sense he is never truly gone. Arda was [[Arda Marred|marred]] by him so deeply that only Eru could fully repair the damage. Those who wished to follow in Morgoth's footsteps, such as Sauron, found that by using his residual influence, they could easily corrupt races they wished to dominate.

==Characteristics==
[[Image:James Stirzaker - Melkor and the Silmarils.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Melkor and the Silmarils'' by [[James Stirzaker]]]]Morgoth had taken a form great and terrible, and was eventually unable to leave it. Traditionally he was covered head to foot in armor, though this is not specifically stated by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]. He received many scars and wounds over the ages: his hands were burned forever when he touched the Silmarils, Fingolfin wounded him seven times during their battle as well as a wound the foot that caused him ever after to limp, Thorondor scarred his face with his talons.

Morgoth wielded [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]] in battle, a weapon he presumably forged himself in [[Angband]] (unless Sauron or Gothmog had held it safe after the [[Siege of Utumno]]). He also had great mental and physical power, at least in the earlier days, greater than any of the other [[Valar]].

==Names==
* ''Morgoth'' (''[[Bauglir]]'') – [[Q.]] “The Dark Enemy” (“The Constrainer”), given him by [[Fëanor]]
* ''Melkor'' – [[Q.]] “He who arises in might”
* ''Dark King (of Angband)'' – given him by [[Men]]
* ''[[Dark Lord]]''
* ''[[Belegur]]([[Belegurth|th]])'' – [[S.]] “Great Death”
* ''Lord of the Dark''
* ''Dark Hunter'' – Given him by the fearful early [[Elves]] before they met [[Oromë]]
* ''[[mbelekôro]]'' – [[C.E.]] Unknown meaning
* ''Great Enemy''
* ''Black Foe''
* ''Master of the fates of Arda'' - used by him when speaking to [[Húrin]]
* ''[[Elder King]]'' - used when speaking to [[Húrin]]
* ''Melko, Belcha, Melegor, Meleko'' – Earlier names Tolkien used but abandoned

==Minions==
* [[Sauron]] – Greatest of his servants, later to become [[Lord of the Rings]], perished with the [[One Ring]]
* [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]], [[Lord of Balrogs]] – killed by [[Ecthelion of the Fountain]] during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]
* [[Glaurung]] – [[Father of Dragons]], killed by [[Túrin Turambar|Túrin]]
* [[Ancalagon]] – Greatest of the [[Winged Dragons]], slain by [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]
* [[Othrond]] – (noncanon) [[Orc]]-general during the Fall of Gondolin, killed by [[Tuor]]
* [[Lungorthin]] - (noncanon) A Balrog, Master of the Guard of Angband

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Morgoth|Images of Morgoth]]

[[Category:Valar]]
[[de:Morgoth]]

Nirnaeth Arnoediad

2009-11-04T16:47:40Z

67.52.35.4: /* The Battle */

{{battle
| name=''Nírnaeth Arnoediad''
| image=[[Image:Nirnaeth.jpg|300px|Ted Nasmith]]
| conflict=[[War of the Jewels]] (Fifth Battle of the [[Wars of Beleriand]]
| date=[[First Age 472|F.A. 472]]
| place=[[Anfauglith]]
| result=Decisive victory for Angband due to [[Treachery of Men|treachery]], depopulation of [[Hithlum]] with replacement by [[Easterlings]], occupation of much of [[Beleriand]]
| side1=The [[Union of Maedhros]], consisting of an alliance of the [[Noldor]], [[Edain]], [[Easterlings]], and [[Dwarves]]
| side2=[[Orcs|Orc]] armies, [[Glaurung]], [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]]
| commanders1=
{{Maedhros blazon}}
{{Fingon blazon|died}}
[[Image:turgon_device.gif|30px|left]][[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]]{{clear}}
* [[Húrin Thalion]]
* [[Huor]] †
* [[Haldir of the Haladin|Haldir]] †
* [[Azaghâl|Azaghâl of Belegost]] †
* [[Bór]] †
| commanders2={{Morgoth blazon}}
* [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]]
* [[Glaurung]]
* [[Ulfang the Black]] †
| forces1=100,000-120,000 Noldor and [[Edain]] warriors of [[Dor-lómin]], 10,000 [[Gondolindrim]] under Turgon, a company of Elves from [[Nargothrond]], company of the [[people of Haleth]] from [[Brethil]], and 1-2,000 Dwarves of Belegost, the Easterlings from [[House of Bór]]
| forces2=Multiple hosts consisting of [[Balrogs]], [[Orcs]], and [[trolls]]; supplemented by turncoat [[Easterlings]]
| casual1=Huge and crippling to the Noldor, Men of Dor-lómin wiped out except Húrin, thousands of captives
| casual2=Heavy early in the battle, but ultimately moderate
|}}

The '''Nírnaeth Arnoediad''' or '''Battle of Unnumbered Tears''' was the disastrous Fifth Battle in the [[Wars of Beleriand]]. Its name was taken from the first words of the [[Doom of Mandos]]: "Tears unnumbered ye shall shed...".

==History==
=== Events Prior to the Battle ===

In the year 473 of the [[Years of the Sun]] in the [[First Age]], [[Maedhros]] decided that taking the offense against [[Angband]] might help the [[Noldor]] regain their former lands. In the almost two decades since their defeat in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], the Noldor had lost control over the entire north of Beleriand, and were for the most part reduced to refugees dwelling in [[Hithlum]] and [[Nargothrond]]. [[Gondolin]] was shut up and unknown.

=== Opposing Forces and Strategy ===

Under the [[Union of Maedhros]] all the [[Elves]] of Beleriand, as well as the [[Edain]], [[Dwarves]], and the newly arrived [[Easterlings]] were invited to combine in arms and fight Morgoth. The Union first cleared Beleriand and Dorthonion of Orcs, and then gathered to assault [[Thangorodrim]].

The plan was for Maedhros's host in the east to assault and draw out the army of Angband, after which Fingon's host would attack from the [[Ered Wethrin]], taking the offensive in the west, crushing Morgoth's forces between them.

Under [[Maedhros]] in the east were gathered the remainder of the [[sons of Fëanor]], the Elves and Men of [[Himring]] under Maedhros and [[Bór]], and the men of Amon Ereb under [[Caranthir]] and [[Ulfang]].

Under [[Fingon]] in the west were gathered the Elves and Men of [[Hithlum]], the Elves of the [[Falas]], the [[Haladin]] of Brethil and the companies sent from [[Nargothrond]] and the two elves of [[Doriath]], [[Beleg Cúthalion|Beleg]] and [[Mablung]].

[[Image:Steven_White_Jr._-_A_Map_of_Beleriand.jpg|375px|right]]

Because of the evil deeds of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], two of Maedhros's brothers, Nargothrond would send only a small company of Elves under [[Gwindor]]. From Doriath, where [[Thingol]] had sworn never to fight beside any son of Fëanor, came only [[Mablung]] and [[Beleg]], who did not wish to remain behind. However, [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]] unexpectedly came forth with over ten thousand Elves from [[Gondolin]], doubling the force of the west.

=== The Battle ===

But Morgoth through his spies had learned of the battle plan, and his spy [[Ulfang]], who betrayed the Noldor, delayed [[Maedhros]]' attack. Meanwhile a small force of Orcs sallied forth from [[Angband]], provoking the western host. Within sight of the [[Ered Wethrin]], Gwindor's brother Gelmir, captured during the Dagor Bragollach, was brought forth, and brutally slain. Enraged, [[Gwindor]] broke ranks, and with him most of Fingon's troops. Their rage was so great that they nearly destroyed the western Orc host and foiled Morgoth's plans.

It is said that Morgoth trembled as Gwindor's company pounded at his gates. They burst through, and slew the guards on the steps of Angband. But alas, they were surrounded by hidden forces, and all were slain or taken. From hidden gates around Angband thousands of Orcs erupted, driving back the host of Fingon from the walls. The Elven army was driven back with great slaughter, and many [[Haladin]] fell fighting in the rearguard.

[[Turgon]], who had withheld his host from the reckless charge, now came upon the Orc host. The phalanx of Turgon broke through the Angband lines, and met with the guard of Fingon. The meeting of the two brothers in the middle of the battle was joyous.

Finally Maedhros arrived, but before he could make junction with Fingon and Turgon, [[Glaurung]] the dragon and [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]] lord of [[Balrog]]s intercepted him. Union forces could yet have prevailed, but [[Uldor]], son of Ulfang and a traitor, turned ranks and attacked Maedhros in the rear, while more of his kin came down from the mountains and attacked from the east. Under assault from three sides, the eastern host was scattered, and only the valour of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Belegost]] helped them escape, as their lord '''Azaghâl''' and his forces held off Glaurung, allowing the [[sons of Fëanor]] to escape into Ossiriand.

[[Azaghâl]] and his army fought with fierce iron masks on, and they were able to resist the fire far better than any Elf or Man. Then Glaurung trampled Azaghâl beneath his feet, but Azaghâl ran a dagger through Glaurung's stomach, and the dragon fled in pain, screaming. With him fled many of the host of Morgoth. In a solemn ceremony the Dwarves picked up their fallen leader, forgetting about the battle, and they marched him home, in a great procession. Their wrath was so great that none troubled them.

[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears.jpg|thumb|left|''Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
All this had not helped the western host, who were attacked by many Orcs under Gothmog. Fingon fell under his might, and [[Húrin]] begged Turgon to retreat back to Gondolin. [[Huor]] and Húrin and the remaining [[Men of Dor-lómin]] formed a living wall across the [[Fen of Serech]], buying time for Turgon to escape with most of the surviving Elves of the north. Acting as a rearguard, these Men were almost all slain – Huor fell when his eye was pierced by a poisoned arrow, but his brother Húrin was captured alive by Gothmog after he was pinned under a mountain of slain Orcs and [[Trolls]].

=== Aftermath and Repercussions ===

Morgoth's victory was near complete, as he had destroyed all the people of Hithlum and had scattered the sons of Fëanor away from Himring. Morgoth's Orcs razed all of [[Beleriand]] except for [[Doriath]], which was still protected by the Girdle of [[Melian]], and sacked the havens of the [[Falas]].

Morgoth betrayed his servants the [[Easterlings]], shutting them in [[Hithlum]] under penalty of death, and denied to them the fertile lands of [[Beleriand]]. Still Morgoth knew fear, for Turgon, now High King of the Ñoldor after the death of Fingon, had survived, and his city Gondolin was still unknown to Morgoth. To be sure, the Union's attack inflicted grievous losses on Morgoth's forces, and it would take some time for him to rebuild his armies back to their former strength. But this was largely irrelevant, compared to how utterly Morgoth had broken the power of so many of his enemies in the battle.
==Etymology==
''Nírnaeth Arnoediad'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Tears Uncountable".

Note that the "oe" of "Arnoediad" is not the Sindarin diphthong "oe", but rather the single umlaut vowel "œ", better represented with a digraph.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Images of Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]

{{references}}
{{warsofbeleriand}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]

First Battle of Beleriand

2009-11-04T16:43:31Z

67.52.35.4:

{{battle
| name= First Battle
| image=[[Image:Beleriand_color.jpg|300px]]
| conflict= [[War of the Jewels]]
| date= YOTT 1497
| place= [[Beleriand]]
| result= Victory for the combined forces of [[Sindar]] and [[Green Elves]]
| side1= The Sindar of Beleriand (particularly [[Eglador]]) and the Laiquendi of [[Ossiriand]]
| side2= Forces of Angband
| commanders1=
{{Thingol blazon}}
* [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]] †
* [[Círdan]]
| commanders2=
{{Morgoth blazon}}
*[[Sauron]]
*[[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]]
* Unknown Orc commanders
| forces1= The Sindar of Eglador, Laiquendi, some [[Dwarves]] in the later stages
| forces2= [[Orcs]], other evil creatures
| casual1= Unspecified, with heavy Green Elf losses
| casual2= Heavy
|}}
The '''First Battle of Beleriand''' was the first battle of the Wars of [[Beleriand]], fought by the [[Sindar]] against [[Morgoth]].

While the [[Noldor]] still toiled through [[Araman]], Morgoth had already arrived in Middle-earth, and had occupied his old fortress of [[Angband]] where his servants [[Sauron]] and [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs|Gothmog]] had long been breeding [[Orcs]].

Unexpected by the Sindar, Morgoth decided to try and secure the area quickly, and he sent out his armies. This was the only battle against the Dark Lord that the realm of King Elu Thingol took an active role. Morgoth's forces broke into two hosts, passing west through the vale of [[Sirion]] and east between [[Aros]] and [[Gelion]], some of them even scaling the passes of Anarch and [[Pass of Aglon|Aglon]].

In the east, King Elu Thingol of [[Doriath]] took the offensive, meeting the Orcs at [[Amon Ereb]]. There King [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]] of the [[Laiquendi]] met him, and the Orcs were forced back-to-back. The lightly armed company of Denethor fell on Amon Ereb before Thingol could rescue him and King Denethor himself was slain, but the Orcs were eventually defeated. Those few survivors were slain by the [[Dwarves]] of [[Mount Dolmed]].

In the west, the [[Elves of the Falas]] under their Lord [[Círdan]] attacked the western host, but they lost that fight, and retreated in their cities of [[Eglarest]] and [[Brithombar]]. These cities were besieged afterward, and Doriath was unable to gather a strong enough force to send aid. The Havens were only freed when the Orcs withdrew to fight the Noldor under [[Fëanor]].

After the First Battle, Doriath was protected by the magical ''[[Girdle of Melian]]''.

The death of King Denethor in this battle led the Laiquendi to pledge to never again name a king or participate in the wars between the other Elves and Morgoth.

{{warsofbeleriand}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[de:Erste große Schlacht von Beleriand]]
[[fi:Beleriandin Sotien ensimmäinen taistelu]]

First Battle of Beleriand

2009-11-03T17:38:50Z

67.52.35.4:

{{battle
| name= First Battle
| image=[[Image:Beleriand_color.jpg|300px]]
| conflict= [[War of the Jewels]]
| date= YOTT 1497
| place= [[Beleriand]]
| result= Victory for the combined forces of [[Sindar]] and [[Green Elves]]
| side1= The Sindar of Beleriand (particularly [[Eglador]]) and the Laiquendi of [[Ossiriand]]
| side2= Forces of Angband
| commanders1=
{{Thingol blazon}}
* [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]] †
* [[Círdan]]
| commanders2=
{{Morgoth blazon}}
*[[Sauron]]
*[[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]]
* Unknown Orc commanders
| forces1= The Sindar of Eglador, Laiquendi, some [[Dwarves]] in the later stages
| forces2= [[Orcs]], other evil creatures
| casual1= Unspecified, with heavy Green Elf losses
| casual2= Heavy
|}}
The '''First Battle of Beleriand''' was the first battle of the Wars of [[Beleriand]], fought by the [[Sindar]] against [[Morgoth]].

While the [[Noldor]] still toiled through [[Araman]], Morgoth had already arrived in Middle-earth, and had occupied his old fortress of [[Angband]] where his servants [[Sauron]] and [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs|Gothmog]] had long been breeding [[Orcs]].

Unexpected by the Sindar, Morgoth decided to try and secure the area quickly, and he sent out his armies. This was the only battle against the Dark Lord that the realm of King Elu Thingol took an active role. Morgoth's forces broke into two hosts, passing west through the vale of [[Sirion]] and east between [[Aros]] and [[Gelion]], some of them even scaling the passes of Anarch and [[Pass of Aglon|Aglon]].

In the east, King Elu Thingol of [[Doriath]] took the offensive, meeting the Orcs at [[Amon Ereb]]. There King [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]] of the [[Laiquendi]] met him, and the Orcs were forced back-to-back. The lightly armed company of Denethor fell on Amon Ereb before Thingol could rescue him and King Denethor himself was slain, but the Orcs were eventually defeated. Those few survivors were slain by the [[Dwarves]] of [[Mount Dolmed]].

In the west, the [[Elves of the Falas]] under their Lord [[Círdan]] attacked the western host, but they lost that fight, and retreated in their cities of [[Eglarest]] and [[Brithombar]]. These cities were besieged afterward, and Doriath was unable to gather a strong enough force to send aid. The Havens were only freed when the Orcs withdrew to fight the Noldor under [[Fëanor]].

After the First Battle, Doriath was protected by the magical ''[[Girdle of Melian]]''.

The death of King Denethor in this battle led the Laiquendi to pledge to never again name a king or participate in the wars between the other Elves and Morgoth.

{{warsofbeleriand}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[de:Erste große Schlacht von Beleriand]]
[[fi:Beleriandin Sotien ensimmäinen taistelu]]