Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Battles of Beleriand

2009-10-14T16:00:11Z

67.87.125.229:

{{war
| previous=[[War for Sake of the Elves]]
| next=[[War of the Elves and Sauron]]
| image=[[Image:Silmarillion malcolm mcclinton.jpg|350px]]
| name=Wars of Beleriand
| place=East and West Beleriand
| result=Decisive victory for the [[Valar]], Expulsion of [[Morgoth]] from Arda
| battles=[[First Battle of Beleriand]], [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]], [[Battle of the Lammoth]], [[Dagor Aglareb]], [[Dagor Bragollach]], [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]], [[Fall of the Falas]], [[War of Wrath]]
| begin= [[First Age 1|F.A. 1]]
| end= [[First Age 587|F.A. 587]]
| side1=Noldor, Sindar, Dwarves, Valar, Maiar, Edain
| side2=Morgoth's forces of Angband
| commanders1=[[Image:FirstdawnoftheSun_Taniquetil_cropped-TNasmith.jpg|35px]] [[Oromë]]
* [[Tulkas]]
[[Image:Feanor_device.gif|55px]] [[Fëanor]]†
{{Maedhros blazon|died}} 
{{Fingolfin blazon|died}} 
{{Fingon blazon|died}} 
* [[Turgon]]†
* [[Círdan]]
{{Finrod blazon|died}} 
{{Eärendil blazon}} 
{{Finarfin blazon}}
| commanders2={{Morgoth blazon}}
[[Image:Sauron_cold_eye_icon.jpg|45px]] [[Sauron]]
* [[Ancalagon]]†
* [[Gothmog]]†
* [[Glaurung]]†
}}

There were many battles between the [[Elves]] of [[Beleriand]] and the forces of [[Morgoth]] in the centuries making up the [[First Age]].

These battles are often referred to as the '''Wars of Beleriand''' or '''Battles of Beleriand''', but also as the '''War of the Jewels''' as the [[Silmarilli]] were behind them all.

== Significant Battles ==

The following are the major battles in this long, extended conflict. Morgoth ever used Angband as a mighty fortress, and the base from which to launch his devastating attacks. While the Noldor sometimes triumphed, the [[Doom of Mandos]] always hung over their efforts.

#The [[First Battle of Beleriand]] was fought before the [[Ñoldor]] arrived, and was fought by the [[Sindar]] and [[Laiquendi]].
#The Second Battle was the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]], or ''Battle-under-Stars'', fought by the Ñoldor following [[Fëanor]] and his [[Sons of Fëanor|Seven Sons]].
#*During this battle the [[Battle of the Lammoth]] was fought by the host of [[Fingolfin]].
#The Third Battle was the [[Dagor Aglareb]], or ''Glorious Battle'', which led to the [[Siege of Angband]].
#*Various minor battles were fought during the Siege which are not counted among the majors.
#The Fourth Battle was the disastrous [[Dagor Bragollach]], or ''Battle of Sudden Flame'', in which many Ñoldor fell.
#The Fifth Battle was the [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]] or ''Battle of Unnumbered Tears'', in which the Ñoldor were utterly routed.
#*The [[Fall of the Falas]], in which the havens of [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]] were sacked and fell, took place after the Nírnaeth.
#The Sixth and Last Battle of Beleriand was the [[War of Wrath]], which defeated Morgoth, ended the [[First Age]] of [[Arda]] and destroyed Beleriand.

[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[Category:Wars and Battles]]
[[fi:Beleriandin Taistelut]]

Battle of Isengard

2009-10-13T20:27:38Z

67.87.125.229:

{{battle|
image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Wrath of the Ents.jpg|300px]] ''The Wrath of the Ents'' by [[Ted Nasmith]], depicting the Battle of Isengard|
name=Battle of Isengard|
conflict=[[War of the Ring]]|
date=March 3, 3019 T.A.|
place=[[Isengard]]|
result= Drowning of Isengard, more or less complete victory for the Ents|
side1=[[Ents]], [[Huorns]], [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]]|
side2= [[Isengard]]|
commanders1=*[[Treebeard]] (their leader, but technically did not "lead")|
commanders2=*[[Saruman]]|
forces1=~50 Ents|
forces2=Unknown total strength, probably around 1500 [[Orcs]] and [[Men]]|
casual1= [[Beechbone]], otherwise numbers unmentioned|
casual2= The entire force, except for [[Saruman]] and [[Wormtongue]]
}}
'''The Battle of Isengard''' was a battle fought during the [[War of the Ring]]. Spurred on by [[Merry Brandybuck]] and [[Peregrin Took]], the [[Ents]], followed by [[Huorns]], invaded the [[Ring of Isengard]] from [[Fangorn Forest]]. The defenders of [[Isengard]] were Orcs and Men led (if not personally) by [[Saruman]]. The attackers surrounded Isengard, destroyed its gates, crumbled its walls and broke the dam, which flooded Isengard and the pits that Saruman used to create his war machines.

Several Ents were scorched and burned, notably [[Beechbone]], and Treebeard (whether or not the effects were serious or not, it is not told), and the entire force of Orcs and Men that defended Isengard were destroyed, which may have been around one or two thousand.

In the end, the Ents took over Isengard. After Saruman's death and the end of the War of the Ring, the Ents made it one of the most beautiful gardens left in all of Middle-earth.

{{wotr}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Schlacht von Isengart]]

Wargs

2009-09-18T17:23:26Z

67.87.125.229:

{{rewrite}}
[[Image:John Howe - Wargs.jpg|thumb|''Wargs'' by [[John Howe]].]]
Taken from the Old English ''warg'', the '''Wargs''' or '''Wild Wolves''' were a race of wolves. The Wargs are actually loosely intelligent, and speak a rudimentary language of their own. Exactly how intelligent they are is debatable, but they are capable of communicating and even organizing large Warg-gatherings which effectively make up 'councils' when they prepare for war. They are usually in league with the [[Orcs]] or Goblins, but this could be better described as less an 'alliance' and more the Wargs ''permitting'' Goblins to ride on their backs into battle. It is probable that they are descended from [[Draugluin]]'s [[Werewolves]] of the [[First Age]].

In ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the Wargs appear twice, once in chasing [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Gandalf]], and the dwarves just east of the [[Misty Mountains]], and once at the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', they are most prominently mentioned in the middle of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', where a band of Wargs, unaccompanied by Orcs, attacks the Fellowship in [[Eregion|Hollin]], and again in ''[[The Two Towers]]'' at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], wargs appear to be more like a "hyena-bear-wolf hybrid" rather than wolves, in an effort to distinguish them from regular wolves by presenting them as some sort of distant cousin. However, it should be noted that Tolkien never actually described Wargs beyond stating they were demonic wolves.

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

{{wolves}}

[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

Wargs

2009-09-18T17:22:51Z

67.87.125.229:

{{rewrite}}
[[Image:John Howe - Wargs.jpg|thumb|''Wargs'' by [[John Howe]].]]
Taken from the Old English ''warg'', the '''Wargs''' or '''Wild Wolves''' were a race of wolves. The Wargs are actually loosely intelligent, speak a rudimentary language of their own. Exactly how intelligent they are is debatable, but they are capable of communicating and even organizing large Warg-gatherings which effectively make up 'councils' when they prepare for war. They are usually in league with the [[Orcs]] or Goblins, but this could be better described as less an 'alliance' and more the Wargs ''permitting'' Goblins to ride on their backs into battle. It is probable that they are descended from [[Draugluin]]'s [[Werewolves]] of the [[First Age]].

In ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the Wargs appear twice, once in chasing [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Gandalf]], and the dwarves just east of the [[Misty Mountains]], and once at the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', they are most prominently mentioned in the middle of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', where a band of Wargs, unaccompanied by Orcs, attacks the Fellowship in [[Eregion|Hollin]], and again in ''[[The Two Towers]]'' at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], wargs appear to be more like a "hyena-bear-wolf hybrid" rather than wolves, in an effort to distinguish them from regular wolves by presenting them as some sort of distant cousin. However, it should be noted that Tolkien never actually described Wargs beyond stating they were demonic wolves.

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

{{wolves}}

[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

Orcs

2009-09-18T17:12:15Z

67.87.125.229: /* Orc-women? */

{{rewrite}}
{{race
| image=[[Image:John Howe - In Mordor.jpg|300px]]
| name= Orcs
| dominions=[[Mordor]], [[Angband]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mount Gundabad]], [[Angmar]], [[Utumno]]
| languages= [[Black Speech]]
| height= probably just above 5'
| length=
| skincolor= Sallow
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions= Short, sallow
| lifespan=
| members= [[Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul|Gothmog]], [[Othrond]], [[Azog]], [[Gorbag]]
|}}
'''Orcs''' were the footsoldiers of evil overlords - [[Sauron]], [[Morgoth]] and the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] - but also operated as a seperate faction throughout the Ages of [[Arda]].

==Appearance==

In Tolkien's writing, Orcs are described as humanoid, roughly human-sized, ugly and filthy. Although not dim-witted, they are portrayed as dull and miserable beings, who corrupt words (an insult to a philologist like Tolkien) and are only able to destroy, not to create. They have sour black blood.
Orcs are used as soldiers by both the greater and lesser villains of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' — [[Sauron]] and [[Saruman]].
In Tolkien's [[Sindarin]] language, "Orc" is ''orch'', plural ''yrch''. In his late, post-''Lord of the Rings'' writings (published in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]])'', he preferred the spelling "Ork", evidently mainly to avoid the form ''Orcish'', which would be naturally pronounced with the c as /s/ instead of /k/. (In [[Languages|Tolkien's languages]] the letter ''c'' was always pronounced /k/.) It is also possible that the word is a Common Tongue Version of 'orch', the [[Sindarin]] word for Orc. The original sense of the word seems to be "bogey", "bogeyman", that is, something that provokes fear, as seen in the Quenya cognate ''urko'', pl. ''urqui''.

==History==
===Orgins and early Years===
The origin of Orcs is an open question. In Tolkien's writings, evil is not capable of independent creation, making it unlikely that the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]], who was obviously the first to produce them, could do that ''ex nihilo''.
In the ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is mentioned that the Orcs were transformed from Elves — the purest form of life on [[Arda]] (the Earth) — by means of torture and mutilation; and this "theory" would then become the most popular.
There are hints in the ''[[The History of Middle-earth|History of Middle-earth]]'' series of books, (especially in ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'' in the section "Myths Transformed"), that some Orc leaders, such as the First Age's [[Boldog]], or the [[Great Goblin]] encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and the Dwarves, may in fact have been fallen [[Maiar]] which had taken Orc form

Later under Morgoth's lieutenant, [[Sauron]], it has been suggested that Men were cross-bred with the Orcs. This process was later repeated during the [[War of the Ring]], creating the fierce Orcs known as [[Uruk-hai]].

Yet other Orcs may have begun as animals of vaguely humanoid shapes, empowered by the will of the Dark Lord (first [[Morgoth]], later Sauron): this may explain the references to their "beaks and feathers" in Tolkien's writings.

: ''The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (…).'' ('Morgoth's Ring', "Myths transformed", text VIII')

It is certain all Orcs were dependent on the Dark Lord in various ways: after their leader was defeated, the Orcs were confused and dismayed, and easily scattered by their enemies. In the millennia after Morgoth's defeat and banishment from Arda, they were without a leader they degenerated to small, quarrelsome tribes hiding in the [[Misty Mountains]]. Only when Sauron returned to power did they begin to reclaim some of their old power. The same happened after Sauron's defeat by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]: only when Sauron returned as the Necromancer of [[Mirkwood]] did the Orcs become a real danger for Middle-earth again.

It is interesting to note that to an extent, Tolkien did not regard Orcs as evil in their own right, but only as tools of Melkor and Sauron.
He wrote once that "we were all orcs in the [[World War I|Great War]]", indicating perhaps that an orc for him was not an inherent build-up of personality, but rather a state of mind bound upon destruction.

[[Image:Warren Mahy-Orc Archer.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Orc by [[Warren Mahy]]]]
After their cration during the [[War for Sake of the Elves]], Orcs were used in every battle fought against Morgoth. Orcs were the primary force of [[Morgoth]] in the [[Siege of Utumno]]. Although most of them were killed, some survived and entered the lands of [[Beleriand]] during Morgoth's imprisonment in [[Valinor]].
When [[Morgoth]] returned to [[Angband]] he created new hordes of Orcs and invaded [[Beleriand]], where the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] took place. Orcs fought also in [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]].

===First Age===
Orcs appear in the [[First Age]] as the core force of [[Morgoth]]. Hundreds of thousands of Orcs were bred in [[Angband]] to participate in the [[Battles of Beleriand]], which lasted 587 years.

Orcs first appear in the [[First Age]] in the [[Battle of the Lammoth]], where they were defeated by [[Fingolfin]] and his [[Noldor]]. Orcs participated in battles such as the [[Dagor Aglareb]], [[Dagor Bragollach]], [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]], [[Fall of the Falas]], and finally in the [[War of Wrath]], were they were almost extinguished.

===Second Age===
Orcs do not play a major role in the [[Second Age]], as [[Sauron]] dominated over [[Middle-earth]] for short periods. Even though, Orcs participated in the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], in [[Second Age 1700|S.A.1700]]. Moreover, the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] started a war agains the [[Dwarves]], resulting in the [[First Sack of Gundabad]] ind its occupation by the Orcs. Finally, Orcs were the core force of [[Sauron]] during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], and fougth in great battles such as the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] and the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]].

===Third Age===
During the [[Third Age]], Orcs were the standard troops of the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and [[Sauron]] (both in [[Mordor]] and in [[Dol Guldur]]).

In [[Angmar]], Orcs fought in the [[Angmar War]]. Years Later, they invaded [[Eriador]] under the leadership of the [[Necromancer]].

The [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], one of the few independent Orcish societies, and their leader [[Azog]] started out the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], and after their defeat they retreated in their caves. They appeared again in [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]], when the [[Battle of Five Armies]] took place.

The [[Orcs of Mordor]] fought in major battles during the [[War of the Ring]], such as the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], but the entire [[Mordor]] force was destroyed in the [[Battle of the Morannon]].

The Orcs in [[Dol Guldur]] remaind in [[Mirkwood]] until the [[Fall of Dol Guldur]], one of the lsat battles of the War of the Ring.

===Fourth Age and beyond===
Although the entire force of [[Sauron]] was destroyed after the [[War of the Ring]], it is assumed that many Orcs continiued to live beneath the [[Misty Mountains]] and cause little trouble.

==Kinds of Orcs==

Tolkien loosely implies that there are actually several different breeds of Orcs, not simply in the wide variety in clans, but strains of Orc that were specifically bred for certain tasks.
:The Fellowship usually encounters the large soldier-Orcs bred for war, and sometimes the "snaga" variety which were more geared towards being laborers. However, a strong hint at the variety of Orc breeds is when Frodo and Sam are in Mordor, and realize that they are being followed by two Orcs, then hide to observe them. One of the Orcs is a normal soldier-Orc, but the other is described as a "Snuffler", a breed specifically geared towards being a tracker. This tracker-Orc was, compared to the soldier-Orc, physically unimposing, but had vastly overdeveloped sensory organs, particularly a single giant nostril. While physically weak compared to the soldier-Orc, the "snuffler" was able to skillfully kill the soldier-orc when they got into a disagreement.
*[[Snaga]]
*[[Orcs of Mordor]]
*[[Half-Orcs]]
*[[Uruk-hai]]
*[[Hobgoblins]] (perhaps same as Uruk-hai)

===Orcs and Goblins===
''Main article: [[Goblin]]''

In The Hobbit, Tolkien primarily used the word "goblin" for Orcs. In The Lord of the Rings, "Orc" is used predominantly, though there are several references to "goblins".

"[[Goblin]]" is an English word, where as "[[Orc]]" is Old English, the language used by Tolkien to represent Rohirric.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix F]]</ref> Thus, there is no difference between Orcs and Goblins, and the two names of different languages have much the same relationship as ''dog'' (English) and ''hund'' (German).

The original edition of the Hobbit and early drafts of The Lord of the Rings first used 'goblin' everywhere and used 'hobgoblin' for larger, more evil goblins: when goblins were replaced with Orcs Tolkien invented the term Uruk-hai for his more evil Orcs.

==Orc-women?==

Tolkien never explicitly states that there are female Orcs. Conversely, he never stated that there ''were not'' female Orcs. The only information regarding this is a brief mention in the ''Silmarillion'' that "Orcs breed after the manner of Elves and Men", which would seem to imply that Orcs have females like the other sentient races. Further, [[Bolg]] is said to be the son of [[Azog]], and though no mother is mentioned they appear to have something approaching family/clan relationships. Curiously, Tolkien often uses the term "spawning" for Orc-reproduction, i.e. "Sam cursed Shagrat and every other Orc ever ''spawned''"; this might just mean they have very large litters.

Although the matter is somewhat murky, an analogy might be drawn to the case of [[Dwarf-women]]: Dwarf-women are never seen in the entire narrative of the books, and it is stated that even within the storyverse they are rarely seen by outsiders because they just rarely leave Dwarf-cities to travel. Thus its possible that along similar lines, there are female Orcs, but they just never leave the caves and tunnels of their Orc-clans. Just because they're not seen or talked about doesn't mean they don't exist.

The Uruk-hai, however, if they were produced by some form of alchemy (mixing Orcs with Men) or were 'genetically engineered' by Sauron and Saruman, might not necessarily have had females.

==Controversery==
Tolkien's Orcs have ''allegedly'' been a subject of criticism of [[racism]]. Tolkien described Orcs as "squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types".<ref>[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Letter 210]] Another possible offensive theme present in orcs (though not necessarily racist), is the fact that when the orcs talk, they often use the same phrases and accents that the English working-class is known to use (citation needed).

==Other Versions==
===Orgin===
According to the oldest "theory" proposed by Tolkien, Orcs were made of stone and slime through the sorcery of Morgoth. But, Tolkien later changed the legendarium so that Morgoth could no longer produce life on his own.

While Tolkien originally saw all Orcs as descended from tortured Elves, later comments of his indicate, according to [[Christopher Tolkien]] in ''Morgoth's Ring'' ("Myths Transformed, text X"), that he began to feel uncomfortable with the theory that orcs were descending from Elves. However, Tolkien died before he could complete his upheaval of the cosmology, and in the published version of ''The Silmarillion'', the Elf origin of Orcs was adopted. It does not appear that the elder Tolkien ever decided on a definitive answer.

==See Also==
*[[:Category:Images of Orcs|Images of Orcs]]
*[[Lifespan of Orcs]]
*[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]
*[[Glamhoth]]

{{references}}
[[de:Orks]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Orcs]]

Orcs

2009-09-18T17:11:15Z

67.87.125.229: /* Orcs and Goblins */

{{rewrite}}
{{race
| image=[[Image:John Howe - In Mordor.jpg|300px]]
| name= Orcs
| dominions=[[Mordor]], [[Angband]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mount Gundabad]], [[Angmar]], [[Utumno]]
| languages= [[Black Speech]]
| height= probably just above 5'
| length=
| skincolor= Sallow
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions= Short, sallow
| lifespan=
| members= [[Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul|Gothmog]], [[Othrond]], [[Azog]], [[Gorbag]]
|}}
'''Orcs''' were the footsoldiers of evil overlords - [[Sauron]], [[Morgoth]] and the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] - but also operated as a seperate faction throughout the Ages of [[Arda]].

==Appearance==

In Tolkien's writing, Orcs are described as humanoid, roughly human-sized, ugly and filthy. Although not dim-witted, they are portrayed as dull and miserable beings, who corrupt words (an insult to a philologist like Tolkien) and are only able to destroy, not to create. They have sour black blood.
Orcs are used as soldiers by both the greater and lesser villains of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' — [[Sauron]] and [[Saruman]].
In Tolkien's [[Sindarin]] language, "Orc" is ''orch'', plural ''yrch''. In his late, post-''Lord of the Rings'' writings (published in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]])'', he preferred the spelling "Ork", evidently mainly to avoid the form ''Orcish'', which would be naturally pronounced with the c as /s/ instead of /k/. (In [[Languages|Tolkien's languages]] the letter ''c'' was always pronounced /k/.) It is also possible that the word is a Common Tongue Version of 'orch', the [[Sindarin]] word for Orc. The original sense of the word seems to be "bogey", "bogeyman", that is, something that provokes fear, as seen in the Quenya cognate ''urko'', pl. ''urqui''.

==History==
===Orgins and early Years===
The origin of Orcs is an open question. In Tolkien's writings, evil is not capable of independent creation, making it unlikely that the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]], who was obviously the first to produce them, could do that ''ex nihilo''.
In the ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is mentioned that the Orcs were transformed from Elves — the purest form of life on [[Arda]] (the Earth) — by means of torture and mutilation; and this "theory" would then become the most popular.
There are hints in the ''[[The History of Middle-earth|History of Middle-earth]]'' series of books, (especially in ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'' in the section "Myths Transformed"), that some Orc leaders, such as the First Age's [[Boldog]], or the [[Great Goblin]] encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and the Dwarves, may in fact have been fallen [[Maiar]] which had taken Orc form

Later under Morgoth's lieutenant, [[Sauron]], it has been suggested that Men were cross-bred with the Orcs. This process was later repeated during the [[War of the Ring]], creating the fierce Orcs known as [[Uruk-hai]].

Yet other Orcs may have begun as animals of vaguely humanoid shapes, empowered by the will of the Dark Lord (first [[Morgoth]], later Sauron): this may explain the references to their "beaks and feathers" in Tolkien's writings.

: ''The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (…).'' ('Morgoth's Ring', "Myths transformed", text VIII')

It is certain all Orcs were dependent on the Dark Lord in various ways: after their leader was defeated, the Orcs were confused and dismayed, and easily scattered by their enemies. In the millennia after Morgoth's defeat and banishment from Arda, they were without a leader they degenerated to small, quarrelsome tribes hiding in the [[Misty Mountains]]. Only when Sauron returned to power did they begin to reclaim some of their old power. The same happened after Sauron's defeat by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]: only when Sauron returned as the Necromancer of [[Mirkwood]] did the Orcs become a real danger for Middle-earth again.

It is interesting to note that to an extent, Tolkien did not regard Orcs as evil in their own right, but only as tools of Melkor and Sauron.
He wrote once that "we were all orcs in the [[World War I|Great War]]", indicating perhaps that an orc for him was not an inherent build-up of personality, but rather a state of mind bound upon destruction.

[[Image:Warren Mahy-Orc Archer.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Orc by [[Warren Mahy]]]]
After their cration during the [[War for Sake of the Elves]], Orcs were used in every battle fought against Morgoth. Orcs were the primary force of [[Morgoth]] in the [[Siege of Utumno]]. Although most of them were killed, some survived and entered the lands of [[Beleriand]] during Morgoth's imprisonment in [[Valinor]].
When [[Morgoth]] returned to [[Angband]] he created new hordes of Orcs and invaded [[Beleriand]], where the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] took place. Orcs fought also in [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]].

===First Age===
Orcs appear in the [[First Age]] as the core force of [[Morgoth]]. Hundreds of thousands of Orcs were bred in [[Angband]] to participate in the [[Battles of Beleriand]], which lasted 587 years.

Orcs first appear in the [[First Age]] in the [[Battle of the Lammoth]], where they were defeated by [[Fingolfin]] and his [[Noldor]]. Orcs participated in battles such as the [[Dagor Aglareb]], [[Dagor Bragollach]], [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]], [[Fall of the Falas]], and finally in the [[War of Wrath]], were they were almost extinguished.

===Second Age===
Orcs do not play a major role in the [[Second Age]], as [[Sauron]] dominated over [[Middle-earth]] for short periods. Even though, Orcs participated in the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], in [[Second Age 1700|S.A.1700]]. Moreover, the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] started a war agains the [[Dwarves]], resulting in the [[First Sack of Gundabad]] ind its occupation by the Orcs. Finally, Orcs were the core force of [[Sauron]] during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], and fougth in great battles such as the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] and the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]].

===Third Age===
During the [[Third Age]], Orcs were the standard troops of the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and [[Sauron]] (both in [[Mordor]] and in [[Dol Guldur]]).

In [[Angmar]], Orcs fought in the [[Angmar War]]. Years Later, they invaded [[Eriador]] under the leadership of the [[Necromancer]].

The [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], one of the few independent Orcish societies, and their leader [[Azog]] started out the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], and after their defeat they retreated in their caves. They appeared again in [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]], when the [[Battle of Five Armies]] took place.

The [[Orcs of Mordor]] fought in major battles during the [[War of the Ring]], such as the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], but the entire [[Mordor]] force was destroyed in the [[Battle of the Morannon]].

The Orcs in [[Dol Guldur]] remaind in [[Mirkwood]] until the [[Fall of Dol Guldur]], one of the lsat battles of the War of the Ring.

===Fourth Age and beyond===
Although the entire force of [[Sauron]] was destroyed after the [[War of the Ring]], it is assumed that many Orcs continiued to live beneath the [[Misty Mountains]] and cause little trouble.

==Kinds of Orcs==

Tolkien loosely implies that there are actually several different breeds of Orcs, not simply in the wide variety in clans, but strains of Orc that were specifically bred for certain tasks.
:The Fellowship usually encounters the large soldier-Orcs bred for war, and sometimes the "snaga" variety which were more geared towards being laborers. However, a strong hint at the variety of Orc breeds is when Frodo and Sam are in Mordor, and realize that they are being followed by two Orcs, then hide to observe them. One of the Orcs is a normal soldier-Orc, but the other is described as a "Snuffler", a breed specifically geared towards being a tracker. This tracker-Orc was, compared to the soldier-Orc, physically unimposing, but had vastly overdeveloped sensory organs, particularly a single giant nostril. While physically weak compared to the soldier-Orc, the "snuffler" was able to skillfully kill the soldier-orc when they got into a disagreement.
*[[Snaga]]
*[[Orcs of Mordor]]
*[[Half-Orcs]]
*[[Uruk-hai]]
*[[Hobgoblins]] (perhaps same as Uruk-hai)

===Orcs and Goblins===
''Main article: [[Goblin]]''

In The Hobbit, Tolkien primarily used the word "goblin" for Orcs. In The Lord of the Rings, "Orc" is used predominantly, though there are several references to "goblins".

"[[Goblin]]" is an English word, where as "[[Orc]]" is Old English, the language used by Tolkien to represent Rohirric.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix F]]</ref> Thus, there is no difference between Orcs and Goblins, and the two names of different languages have much the same relationship as ''dog'' (English) and ''hund'' (German).

The original edition of the Hobbit and early drafts of The Lord of the Rings first used 'goblin' everywhere and used 'hobgoblin' for larger, more evil goblins: when goblins were replaced with Orcs Tolkien invented the term Uruk-hai for his more evil Orcs.

==Orc-women?==

Tolkien never explicitly states that there are female Orcs. Conversely, he never stated that there ''were not'' female Orcs. The only information regarding this is a brief mention in the ''Silmarillion'' that "Orcs breed after the manner of Elves and Men", which would seem to imply that Orcs have females like the other sentient races. Further, [[Bolg]] is said to be the son of [[Azog]], and though no mother is mentioned they appear to have something approaching family/clan relationships. Curiously, Tolkien often uses the term "spawning" for Orc-reproduction, i.e. "Sam cursed Shagrat and every other Orc ever ''spawned''"; this might just mean they have very large litters.

Although the matter is somewhat murky, an analogy might be drawn to the case of [[Dwarf-women]]: Dwarf-women are never seen in the entire narrative of the books, and it is stated that even within the storyverse they are rarely seen by outsiders because they just rarely leave Dwarf-cities to travel. Thus its possible that along similar lines, there are female Orcs, but they just never leave the caves and tunnels of their Orc-clans.

The Uruk-hai, however, if they were produced by some form of alchemy (mixing Orcs with Men) or were 'genetically engineered' by Sauron and Saruman, might not necessarily have had females.

==Controversery==
Tolkien's Orcs have ''allegedly'' been a subject of criticism of [[racism]]. Tolkien described Orcs as "squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types".<ref>[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Letter 210]] Another possible offensive theme present in orcs (though not necessarily racist), is the fact that when the orcs talk, they often use the same phrases and accents that the English working-class is known to use (citation needed).

==Other Versions==
===Orgin===
According to the oldest "theory" proposed by Tolkien, Orcs were made of stone and slime through the sorcery of Morgoth. But, Tolkien later changed the legendarium so that Morgoth could no longer produce life on his own.

While Tolkien originally saw all Orcs as descended from tortured Elves, later comments of his indicate, according to [[Christopher Tolkien]] in ''Morgoth's Ring'' ("Myths Transformed, text X"), that he began to feel uncomfortable with the theory that orcs were descending from Elves. However, Tolkien died before he could complete his upheaval of the cosmology, and in the published version of ''The Silmarillion'', the Elf origin of Orcs was adopted. It does not appear that the elder Tolkien ever decided on a definitive answer.

==See Also==
*[[:Category:Images of Orcs|Images of Orcs]]
*[[Lifespan of Orcs]]
*[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]
*[[Glamhoth]]

{{references}}
[[de:Orks]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Orcs]]

Battle of the Hornburg

2009-09-18T17:03:43Z

67.87.125.229: /* Portrayal in Adaptations */

{{sources}}
{{battle|
image=|[[Image:Alan_Lee_-_The_Battle_at_Helm's_Deep.JPG|300px]] ''The Battle at Helm's Deep'' by [[Alan Lee]]|
name=Battle of the Hornburg|
conflict=[[War of the Ring]]|
date=March 3-4, [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]|
place=[[Helm's Deep]] (especially the [[Hornburg]])|
result= Victory for the [[Rohirrim]]|
side1= [[Rohirrim]], [[Three Hunters]], [[Huorns]]|
side2= [[Uruk-hai]] of [[Isengard]], [[Dunlendings]]|
commanders1=*[[Théoden]]
*[[Éomer]]
*[[Aragorn II]]
*[[Erkenbrand]]
*[[Gandalf the White]]|
commanders2=*Unknown|
forces1= About 3000 Rohirrim, a "forest" of [[Huorns]]|
forces2= 10,000 at the least|
casual1= Heavy, but precise numbers are unknown|
casual2= The entire force of Uruk-hai; many Dunlendings slain, the rest surrendered
}}
{{wotr}}

The '''Battle of the Hornburg''' is also referred to as the '''Battle of Helm's Deep'''. The battle pitted the forces of [[Saruman]] against the warriors of [[Rohan]] under King [[Théoden]], who had taken refuge in the mountain fortress of [[Helm's Deep]].

== The Armies ==

=== Rohan ===

The army of Rohan consisted of 1000 cavalry forces from [[Edoras]] led by King Théoden. This force included [[Aragorn]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], and Théoden's nephew [[Éomer]]. This army joined with Rohan's garrison of around 1000 at the [[Hornburg]].

The army was reinforced by 1000 scattered Rohirrim troops from the [[Westfold]] rallied by [[Gandalf]] and led by [[Erkenbrand]]. A forest of [[Huorns]] entered the valley independently, seeking revenge on Saruman's orcs.

=== Isengard ===

The army of [[Saruman]] consisted of his specially bred [[Uruk-hai]] [[orcs]] supported by human [[Dunlendings]]. The total size of the Isengard force isn't specified, but it was much larger than the Rohirrim army holding the fortress.

==History==
=== The Battle ===

The forces of Saruman arrived at the valley of [[Helm's Deep]] in the middle of the night and quickly scaled over the first defense, [[Helm's Dike]], and attempted to break down the fortress's gate with a battering ram. But [[Aragorn]], [[Éomer]], and some other Rohirrim attacked, through a passage on the side of the Hornburg, scattering the forces threatening the doors.

The Orcs and Dunlendings then raised hundreds of ladders to scale the wall. Aragorn and Éomer had to repeatedly move the defenders, who were getting weary, to repel the Orcs coming up the ladders and crossing the wall. However, some Orcs had crept in though a culvert which let a stream out of Helm's Deep, and while the defenders were busy with the assault on the wall, they suddenly attacked, having made it past the wall. The defenders quickly reacted and drove back the Orcs, and the culvert was blocked up under supervision by [[Gimli]].

However, the enemies reentered the culvert and caused an explosion using a device of Saruman's. This made a wide hole in the wall, and Saruman's forces could not be stopped. The defenders retreated to the [[Glittering Caves]] and to the Hornburg. Soon Saruman's forces used their blasting fire to gain entrance to the keep. At this moment, however, the horn of Helm's Deep was sounded, and after a moment a sortie led by Théoden and Aragorn rode forth, followed by men on foot from the keep, and the defenders of the caves , who made a break-out attempt and were driving the enemy out of the deep. Théoden and Aragorn cut through the Orcs and Dunlendings and arrived at Helm's Dike.

Both armies then noticed that many trees, [[Huorns]], had moved to block a possible escape route for the Orcs. Then [[Gandalf]], [[Erkenbrand]], and a thousand riders from the Westfold arrived, and charged. The Dunlendings were so terrified of Gandalf that they could no longer fight. The Orcs lost control and ran into the trees, where the Huorns destroyed them. Thus, Rohan won the battle.

=== Aftermath ===

After the battle those Dunlendings who surrendered were given amnesty by King Théoden and allowed to return to home. The Rohirrim required that all hostilities cease, and that the Dunlendings retreat behind the [[Isen]] river again. The slain Dunlendings were buried in a mound of their own apart from the Orc carcasses.

== Portrayal in Adaptations==
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:The Battle of the Hornburg is a key part of this film. The amount of time spent around the battle in the movie was much more than in the original book. In the context of the film, it is referred to as the ''Battle of Helm's Deep'', a title which was never used by Tolkien but which is often used by fans, probably because it occupies a chapter entitled "Helm's Deep".

:One major difference in the film is that [[Elrond]], at the prompting of [[Galadriel]], sends a contingent of [[Elves|Elven]] archers to reinforce the defence of the keep. A similar event takes place in the novel, in which [[Elrond]] and [[Galadriel]] send a company of Aragorn's fellow [[Rangers]], accompanied by Elrond's sons, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], bringing the gift of a banner and the advice to take the [[Paths of the Dead]]. In the book, however, this takes place after the Battle of the Hornburg.

:In the book, it is never made explicitly clear by what method the Uruk-hai cause the explosion that blasts a whole in the Deeping Wall, with Aragorn just vaguely calling it "some devilry of Orthanc". It's not clear whether this was some magical attack caused by Saruman from Orthanc (similar to the avalanche on Caradhras in the first movie), or some sort of invention of Saruman's. The movie explicitly shows that Saruman, fitting with his theme of misusing his knowledge to empower his armies with a sort of proto-Industrial Revolution, makes his own gunpowder and uses it to make blasting charges that the Uruk-hai then ignite.

:In the movie, the thousands of troops of Saruman laid siege to the fortress which was defended by around 300 men (many of whom were too young or too old to fight) which the Rohirrim could muster and the aforementioned Elven Archers. When Legolas says there are "300" Rohirrim there he may have meant ''at that time'' as more were fleeing to the fortress, because visually there are more than 300 Rohirrim appearing on screen in the battle. This reference to "300 against 10,000" was probably meant as a reference to the ancient Battle of Thermopylae. These forces suffered heavy losses, but held out till dawn when Gandalf arrived with thousands of Rohirrim riders who finally turned the tide of the battle and sent Saruman's forces into retreat.

{{references}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Schlacht um die Hornburg]]
[[fi:Ämyrilinnan taistelu]]

Uruk-hai

2009-09-18T16:57:38Z

67.87.125.229:

{{sources}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
|name= Uruk-hai
|dominions=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
|languages=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height= over 5' 5"
|length=
|skincolor= Probably sallow
|haircolor= Probably black
|feathers=
|distinctions= Elvish ears(?), Large build
|lifespan= Possibly eternal
|members= [[Uglúk]]
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]], ''[[The Riders of Rohan]]''}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|human]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]]. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though some were still shorter than Men. There are suggestions that the Uruk-hai were the result of crossbreeding Orcs and [[Men]]. Certainly, other creatures in Saruman's armies, and under his command in the Shire, appear to have been hybrids, though these "half-orcs" were as tall as Men and are never described simply as Orcs, as the Uruk-hai frequently are. It is never explained exactly ''how'' Orcs were hybridized with humans, either through directly raping human women or (more probably) some form of alchemy used to infuse Orcs with human qualities. [[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil". Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength" first appeared about the year [[Third Age 2475|2475]] of the Third Age, when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the [[Eye of Sauron|Red Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat. He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name Uruk-hai has the element ''Uruk'', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning ''Orc''. Many known languages have a word related to thus ([[Quenya]] ''[[orco]]'', [[Sindarin]] ''[[orch]]'', [[Westron]] ''[[orka]]'', [[Khuzdul]] ''[[rukhs]]'' and presumably [[Drúedain|Drúedainic]] ''[[gorgûn]]''). The element ''-hai'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] and [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identical as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on a early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men": this may be a dialogue error because in Tolkien's works "Orc" is a synonym for goblin. This description may however refer to humans corrupted by Goblins. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks include Pikesmen, Swordsmen, Archers, and Berserkers.
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armor in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikesmen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry crossbows. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, eg in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges than the Orcs, eg the Orcs demanding to eat the hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

[[Category:Races]]
[[category:orcs]]

Uruk-hai

2009-09-18T16:57:12Z

67.87.125.229:

{{sources}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
|name= Uruk-hai
|dominions=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
|languages=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height= over 5' 5"
|length=
|skincolor= Probably sallow
|haircolor= Probably black
|feathers=
|distinctions= Elvish ears(?), Large build
|lifespan= Possibly eternal
|members= [[Uglúk]]
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]], ''[[The Riders of Rohan]]''}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|human]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]]. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though some were still shorter than Men. There are suggestions that the Uruk-hai were the result of crossbreeding Orcs and [[Men]]. Certainly, other creatures in Saruman's armies, and under his command in the Shire, appear to have been hybrids, though these "half-orcs" were as tall as Men and are never described simply as Orcs, as the Uruk-hai frequently are. It is never explained exactly ''how'' Orcs were hybridized with humans, either through directly raping human women or (mor probably) some form of alchemy used to infuse Orcs with human qualities. [[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil". Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength" first appeared about the year [[Third Age 2475|2475]] of the Third Age, when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the [[Eye of Sauron|Red Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat. He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name Uruk-hai has the element ''Uruk'', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning ''Orc''. Many known languages have a word related to thus ([[Quenya]] ''[[orco]]'', [[Sindarin]] ''[[orch]]'', [[Westron]] ''[[orka]]'', [[Khuzdul]] ''[[rukhs]]'' and presumably [[Drúedain|Drúedainic]] ''[[gorgûn]]''). The element ''-hai'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] and [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identical as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on a early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men": this may be a dialogue error because in Tolkien's works "Orc" is a synonym for goblin. This description may however refer to humans corrupted by Goblins. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks include Pikesmen, Swordsmen, Archers, and Berserkers.
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armor in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikesmen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry crossbows. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, eg in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges than the Orcs, eg the Orcs demanding to eat the hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

[[Category:Races]]
[[category:orcs]]