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Saruman

2008-08-07T18:32:32Z

Sarumantw: /* War of the Ring */

{{Istari infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Saruman.jpg|250px]]
| name=Saruman
| othernames=Of many colours, White, Ring-maker, Wise, Curunír, Curumo, Sharkey
| coming=Entered [[Middle-earth]] in [[Third Age 1000]]
| death=[[Third Age 3019]]
| duty=Wizard
| robes=White
| gender=Male
| hair= Black, gradually turning white
| appearance= Tall, long faced with deep eyes
|}}
{{quote|He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for growing things, except as far as they serve him for the moment. And now it is clear that he is a black traitor.|[[Treebeard]], ''[[Treebeard (chapter)]]''}}
'''Saruman the White''' ([[Third Age]] c. 1000 – 3019, existed in [[Middle-earth]] for 2019 years) was the first of the order of [[Wizards]] (or [[Istari]]) who came to Middle-earth as Emissaries of the [[Valar]] in the Third Age. He was the leader of the [[White Council]]. In [[Sindarin]] his name was '''Curunír''', which meant "Man of Skill".

== Characteristics ==
[[Image:WAR-ICONS Saruman.jpg|right|150px]]
In appearance, Saruman was as an old man with black hair. At the end of the Third Age, his hair and beard had turned mostly white — he had only black hairs about his lips and ears. He was tall, his face was long, and his eyes were deep and dark. He would appear in a white cloak, a habit he later changed into a cloak that changed colours as he moved.

He was not actually a [[Men|Man]], or even an [[Elves|Elf]] (as Men often suspected), but a [[Maiar|Maia]] clothed in flesh — an [[Istari|Istar]] ((see ''Origins'' below). As such, he was immortal and extremely powerful, yet had limits on how far these powers could be used. His two most salient powers were his knowledge and his voice.

The name given to him by Men, ''Saruman'', is in the [[Rohirric|Language of Rohan]]. In Tolkien's works, the English language is used to represent the [[Westron]], the common speech of Middle-earth, while its ancestor, Anglo-Saxon, represents the Language of Rohan. In this case, Tolkien used the Anglo-Saxon root word ''searu'' which means "skill" or "cunning". As a scholar, Tolkien would also have been well aware of the name of a similarly-named historic 'head of his order', Jaruman. The real Westron version of his name remains unknown.

His name among the Elves was ''Curunír'' and was often followed by '''Lân'' (or ''Glân'', unlenited), which translates as his epithet, "The White". In Valinor, his name was ''Curumo'', which is the original [[Quenya]] version of the name. As Sindarin did not have the male suffix ''-mo'', it was replaced with ''-ndir'', which in turn did not exist in Quenya.

=== Powers ===
Knowledge of the "deep arts" (or magic, such as it is in Middle-earth) was of particular interest to Saruman, especially when relating to power—such as the [[Rings of Power]] and the far seeing ''[[palantíri]]''. He was also deeply learned in ancient lore regarding powerful kingdoms such as [[Númenor]], [[Gondor]], and [[Moria]].

His voice and speech were extremely convincing, more powerful than mere rhetoric. When he focused this power on a person or a group of people, he could sway their hearts, plant fears and sow lies as he pleased. According to the stature of the listener, this spell could last as long as the speech did, or it could take root in them and last forever.

Other powers include knowledge of machinery and chemistry, probably separable from explicit magic (for instance, the "blasting fire" employed by his [[Uruk-hai]] army in the battle of [[Helm's Deep]], was probably some kind of explosive). Machinery and engines characterized both his fortified [[Isengard]] and his altered [[Shire]]. In this, he probably sought to emulate [[Sauron]].

His science also extended to biological areas. He is believed to have crossbred Men and Orcs, creating a new race of Orcs unafraid of daylight, the Uruk-hai. His human spies in [[Bree]] were said to have Orc blood. He also employed birds in his service, although this might also be attributed to [[Radagast]] the Brown, ordering them to report to [[Orthanc]], Saruman's stronghold.

Being regarded as more powerful than [[Gandalf]] (at least before Gandalf's "rebirth"), it's fair to assume he would also wield explicit magic similar to Gandalf, such as artificial light, locking spells, creating fire, etc.

=== Personality ===
Saruman resembled Gandalf not only in appearance, but originally also somewhat in character, but unlike Gandalf, Saruman was proud. He saw himself as the most powerful of the Istari, expressing clear contempt for Radagast the Brown. Saruman was no fool (though he saw Ragadast as one); he realized Gandalf's power, and eventually came to see him as an equal, and later as a superior, much to his distress. He became jealous of Gandalf, eventually convincing himself that Gandalf was scheming against him, which justified his own scheming against Gandalf and the rest of the White Council.

Saruman likely was true to his mission in the beginning, and actually believed in working to stop Sauron, but his pride and later arrogance (as well as his jealousy towards the Grey Wanderer) turned him into a traitor to the cause he had once served. Saruman's betrayal was not sudden, but slowly grew over time, until at last he had convinced himself that he could not have taken any other path, and that it was too late now to repent. This false belief kept him from taking his last chance at redemption, and because he must have realized this he only became more bitter, blaming Gandalf more than anyone else for his own downfall. In fact he only had himself to blame, but he refused to believe this.

== Origins ==
In [[Valinor]], a council was called by [[Manwë]]. This was likely in the middle of the second age, shortly after the creation of the rings of power. It was decided to send five [[Wizards|emissaries]] to Middle Earth. These should be "mighty, peers of Sauron, yet forgo might, and clothe themselves in flesh" — Istari, or Wizards.

One of those who went was '''''[[Curumo]]''''' (later in [[Sindarin]] ''[[Curunír]]'', or in [[Westron]] ''Saruman''), a powerful Maia of [[Aulë]] (just as Sauron was). Maiar were angelic creatures of the same people as the Valar, only of lower order. Together, they were the [[Ainur]], and existed before the [[Arda]], the world, was created.

Saruman was one of those who volunteered, whereas the last one, ''[[Olórin]]'', (later Gandalf) was commanded by Manwë to go. Saruman's jealousy of Gandalf began even here, when [[Varda]] said of Gandalf, who went as the third Istar that he was "not the third". Saruman was charged to take Radagast with him, which he did not wish to do and which led to contempt for the latter Wizard.

== History ==

===Arrival in Middle-earth===

According to most tales, Saruman arrived alone in a ship at [[Mithlond]] (the [[Grey Havens]]) in the west of [[Eriador]] around the year 1000 of the [[Third Age]], and only [[Círdan]] knew his identity and his origin. There are two short stories known that tell a bit different story. The first tells ''that [[Curumo]] (Saruman) took [[Aiwendil]] ([[Radagast]]) because [[Yavanna]] begged him'', and the second states: ''"Curumo was obliged to take Aiwendil to please Yavanna wife of [[Aulë]],"'' (''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', Part Four, II: [[The Istari]]).

He went into the East of Middle-earth, as did the two [[Blue Wizards]]. After one and a half millennia he returned to the West, just as Sauron's power was growing again in [[Dol Guldur]].

When the [[White Council]] was formed around the year 2463 of the Third Age, Saruman was appointed its leader. Even then, he had begun to sense the resurgence of Sauron and to envy and desire his power, and especially his [[One Ring]]. Coincidentally, in that same year the One Ring was found by the creature [[Gollum]], drawing the [[Dark Lord]] closer to the conflict that would eventually prove Saruman's undoing.

===Chief of the White Council===

In [[2759 TA]], [[Beren, Steward of Gondor]], granted Saruman permission to make the Tower of Orthanc in the ring of [[Isengard]] his abode. There he became important in the defence of the free lands of the West. In Orthanc he came upon a palantír, one of the seven seeing stones, but kept it secret and hidden, particularly from the White Council. He would later betray the Council by concealing his use of it.

In [[2850 TA]] Gandalf entered [[Dol Guldur]] and confirmed that the evil presence there was indeed Sauron returned. By Saruman's advice, the White Council decided against attacking Dol Guldur. At this council-meeting Gandalf (for the first time) revealed that he suspected that Saruman desired to possess the One Ring.

Saruman's real strategy behind forestalling the Council's attempt at Dol Guldur focused on permitting Sauron to continue building up his strength, so that the One Ring would reveal itself. At that point Saruman hoped to have sufficient strength to seize it first himself. He soon found that Sauron had more knowledge of the possible location of the One Ring than he expected, and in 2941 TA he finally consented to an attack against Sauron at Dol Guldur (at which point Sauron retreats to Mordor and the Battle of the Five Armies takes place).

Either at this time or shortly before Saruman's studies of ring-lore paid off, and he seems to have emulated part of the skill of the [[Noldor]] of [[Eregion]] and created his own Ring. He probably used this to enhance his skills, and became an even greater enchanter with the power of his voice. It however seems unlikely that his Ring was as powerful as one of the Three Rings of the Elves, let alone the One Ring.

Sauron abandoned Dol Guldur, arose again, and took up his reign in [[Mordor]], declaring himself openly. In Mordor, he established contact with Saruman through the palantír captured from [[Minas Ithil]] (later [[Minas Morgul]]). Through his jealousy towards Gandalf and his ever-growing pride and arrogance, and through the use of the palantír, wrestling in thought with the Enemy, Saruman became a servant of Sauron's will (although unintentionally, as his hopes were to gain the One Ring for himself).

===War of the Ring===

At about this time, in an attempt to control Rohan, Saruman bought the allegiance of King [[Théoden]]'s chief advisor, [[Gríma Wormtongue]], who then counselled the ailing king to do nothing about the steady resurgence of Sauron's armies. Saruman and Wormtongue's treachery would have crippled Rohan's military might, had not Gandalf interfered a year later and revealed to Théoden his right-hand man's true designs, healing the old king and revitalizing his political and military rule.

Saruman did not reveal his true intentions until Gandalf presented him with the discovery and location of the One Ring. He then revealed his contact with Sauron and belief that they must join the Dark Lord or fail. Saruman then stood forth as '''Saruman of Many Colours''', and when Gandalf refused to join with him, he held him captive in Isengard. Gandalf later escaped, and so Saruman's treachery became known to the rest of the White Council when Gandalf reported it during the subsequent Council of [[Elrond]].

Saruman soon also betrayed his new master Sauron by lying to the Witch-king when he arrived at Isengard. Sauron had sent the Nazgúl searching for [[Bilbo Baggins|Baggins]], who had found the One Ring years before, and the Shire, his home. Saruman pretended to know nothing about the Shire, but the Nazgûl later captured one of his Shire spies. Caught now between both sides as a known traitor to both, Saruman put all efforts into obtaining the One Ring for himself.

Saruman implemented a strategy of attacking [[Rohan]], endeavouring to kill the King's son Théodred, sending spies to waylay [[Frodo Baggins]] on his flight from the Shire, and dispatching raiding parties on likely routes a company of the Ring might take to Gondor. Ironically, one of these parties captured [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and transported them to [[Fangorn Forest]] in time to mobilize the [[Ents]]. Gandalf also suspected Saruman had found (and destroyed) the remains of [[Isildur]], who had worn the Ring before it had been lost.

Saruman's Shire network failed to capture Frodo Baggins, Gandalf rallied Rohan to victory, [[Éomer]] stopped his only partially successful raiding party, and control of Isengard was lost to the [[Ents]]. Aware he was utterly defeated, Saruman briefly considered repenting for his deeds, but at the last moment could not go through with it. He must have still had some hope he could somehow escape, and even that infinitely small chance was better than his certain humiliation at the hands of those he had tried to destroy. Saruman still made a final attempt to woo Théoden and Gandalf to his cause but failed: his staff was broken and he was dismissed from the order of the Istari.

It must have been during Gandalf's captivity in Orthanc that Saruman began to build his army of Orcs, [[Dunlendings]], and Uruk-hai, since Gandalf came to an as yet undestroyed Isengard. One can speculate that if matters had developed a little more slowly, his puppet Wormtongue would have gained full control over Rohan, and the [[Rohirrim]] would have been enslaved or destroyed.

Saruman's plans likely failed because he, like Sauron, was forced to reveal his hand early by Gandalf's subsequent escape, and therefore he had little time to perfect his plans. As Saruman considered himself "unfallen", he honestly believed he had a chance of converting Gandalf to his side, and felt honestly betrayed by Gandalf when he was refused. The failure to capture the Ring at Emyn Arnen further ruined Saruman's plans, as he was revealed as a traitor to Mordor now as well.

Left out of the final stages of the War of the Ring, he eventually managed to convince his captors, the Ents, into letting him leave Isengard, proving that the magic of his voice still remained. He then went to the Shire, which his agent [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]] (undisturbed by events elsewhere) had brought under control. Spending his final days as a small-time thug lord in [[Hobbiton]] known as '''''Sharkey''''', he was eventually betrayed and killed by his own servant Wormtongue on November 3, [[Third Age|T.A.]] 3019, when even this operation fell apart after Frodo and [[Samwise Gamgee]] returned.
Merry and Pippin waged war against the dunlanders, who had taken the shire. And in the end the shire was retaken, and they were on his way to capture Saruman, but when they surrounded him he tried to stab Frodo, but was shot by Hobbit archers.

Saruman, as a Maia, did not truly die, but his spirit lost its shape (much like Sauron's after the [[Akallabêth|Downfall of Númenor]] and after his defeat by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]). As a discorporated spirit, he should have been called to [[Mandos]], but the tale implies that he was barred from returning. We may speculate that his spirit was left naked, powerless and wandering in Middle-earth (perhaps like Sauron's after the One Ring was destroyed).

== Politics ==

=== Men ===
Tolkien writes of Saruman that "he went mostly among men". He always sought power, and in the Third Age the greatest power lay in the hands of the kingdoms of Men.

No records speak of his earliest journeys into the east of Middle-earth, but when he returned, he actually became for a while a servant of Gondor, receiving the keys to Orthanc from [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] ([[Steward of Gondor]]), as its warden.

Saruman later claimed Orthanc for his own, without any formal declaration (or real objection from a weakened Gondor). Still, he nominally remained an ally of Gondor and of Rohan. Throughout this time he also made long studies of scrolls and books in Minas Tirith.

When he turned to treachery, Saruman still employed men in his schemes, mainly from [[Dunland]], but also selected agents from other lands (such as Wormtongue.) Saruman was a master of deceit, and could easily turn old grudges into fuel for new hatred.

The Dunlendings found employment in his armies, and it also seems probable that he used some of these men in his crossbreeding programme to create Half-Orcs. The Dunlendings were enticed with the old stories that they had once lived in the plains of Rohan before the ''Strawheads'' had come from the north, and that their leader [[Freca]], a man with claims to the throne of Rohan, had been killed by [[Helm Hammerhand]].

Gríma Wormtongue played a vital role in Saruman's plans: a counsellor of the ageing king Théoden, he secretly desired the king's niece, [[Éowyn]], but she was repulsed by him and scorned his advances. It is not clear if Wormtongue approached Saruman or vice versa, but it is certain that with Saruman's council Gríma began to weaken the king, estranging him from his other councilors and even his own kin, until Gríma had in effect become the leader of Rohan.

=== Elves ===
Saruman was once on good terms with the Elves, and was voted in as the leader of the White Council, a group of Elves and Istari united against Sauron.

However, Saruman knew that Gandalf had been given the third Elvish ring [[Narya]] by [[Círdan]] the Shipwright. This nurtured his jealousy of Gandalf and his resentment towards the Elves.

The Elves also declined during the period of Saruman's activity in the west of Middle-earth. Their lands were few and secretive, and although they wielded in some senses marvellous power, they were not in the habit of projecting it in the manner Saruman found useful or interesting. Also, they succumbed less easily than other races to manipulation.

Even though his stronghold of Isengard lay very close to the Elven Kingdom of [[Lothlórien]], Saruman had very little or no contact with it. Indeed, after his treachery and ruin, Saruman stated clearly that he had never trusted [[Galadriel]] and that he suspected her of scheming for Gandalf at his expense.

In summary, Saruman had little use for, or interest in, the Elves.

=== Istari/[[Wizards]] ===
Saruman grudgingly brought with him Radagast as a companion from Valinor, at the request of [[Yavanna]], yet still managed to arrive alone, and first. Shortly after, he went into the East with the two Blue Wizards ([[Alatar]] and [[Pallando]]), and later returned alone. The Ithryn Luin (as the Elves called them) went with Saruman into the East, and there may have wrought many great works to diminish the influence of the Enemy. Of their fate little is known.

Radagast, even though Saruman scorned him (when he tried to convert Gandalf to his cause), served Saruman very usefully (and wholly unintentionally). Not only in the sense explained to Gandalf, "he had just the wit to play the part I set him"—that of persuading Gandalf to come to Isengard, but also because Radagast, at the request of Saruman (and Gandalf), sent birds to Saruman at Orthanc and to Gandalf to report the different happenings in Middle-earth (in this way Saruman gained valuable insight and Gandalf was able to escape from the pinnacle of Orthanc). Radagast, honest and noble, true to his mission as set by Yavanna, played a very valuable role in the fight against Sauron through the use of the birds and beasts of Middle-earth (i.e. the aid of the Eagles).

Saruman had always been jealous of Gandalf, and suspected him of keeping secrets from him—not unfounded suspicions, since Gandalf did indeed keep his knowledge (or early on, suspicion) about [[One Ring|Bilbo's Ring]] hidden. Gandalf also kept his own ring (the third of the Elvish rings) Narya secret.

Gandalf also suspected Saruman of plotting to gain the One Ring for himself, and hinted at this in a powerful scene at a meeting of the White Council. Gandalf blew nine small smoke rings and one great one that wavered a bit, seeming almost palpable, and yet blew away, symbolizing (almost prophetic of) Saruman's failure in achieving the One for himself.

In general, Saruman must have viewed Gandalf as his only peer, and as such to be feared and treated with (although not necessarily shown) respect. He always kept a watchful eye open for Gandalf's doings, and actually picked up the habit of smoking pipe-weed by sending out spies tailing Gandalf to the Shire.

When matters came to a head, Saruman sought to make Gandalf an ally in his plans. This was probably not just out of practical politics, but also of respect and a sense of companionship and shared destiny. And possibly out of hope, being daunted by the proposition of becoming Sauron's servant alone.

Nevertheless, Saruman exercised more power than Gandalf, even with the ring Narya, as became clear when he placed Gandalf under arrest at the pinnacle of Orthanc. The text does not make it clear whether Saruman lost power or whether Gandalf gained power, but when Gandalf returned as "Gandalf the White", he could summon Saruman at his will, forcibly keep him in his presence, and finally break Saruman's staff (with whatever implications that might have had for Saruman's powers).

Saruman several times came very close to setting aside his pride and to asking Gandalf for pity and help. The closest call came when the [[Ringwraiths]] (on their way to the Shire) arrived at Isengard while Gandalf still remained in captivity there. Saruman, realizing his predicament, actually went to seek Gandalf's pardon, only to find his erstwhile captive missing from the top of Orthanc.

=== Orcs ===
Saruman probably drew his original strength of Orcs from tribes in the [[Misty Mountains]], and perhaps from Moria Orcs. He made use of [[Wargs|Warg]]-mounted Orcs of the same kind that Bilbo and the dwarves fled from after they had been captured at the [[High Pass]] near [[Rivendell]].

He also bred Orcs in Isengard, eventually creating crossbreeds of Orcs and Men (probably [[Dunland|Dunlendings]]), the [[Uruk-hai]]. This programme apparently also involved feeding these Orcs Man-flesh.

His Uruk-hai army displayed great discipline and fierce loyalty, in addition to the other improvements such as height, strength, endurance and resistance to sunlight. There also appears to have been middle stages between Men and the Uruk-hai, Men with varying degrees of Orkish appearance. These were reported by Pippin and Merry to have been part of Saruman's regular army, but were not Uruk-hai, since the hobbits would have recognized these from their earlier capture.

Saruman's servants called him "Sharkey" both in Isengard and later in The Shire. This was probably an adaptation of the [[Black Speech]] word ''sharku'' which meant "old man". Saruman was not aware of this meaning (which is remarkable, since Gandalf knew this language). Perhaps he took it as a distortion of his own name by the Orcs. This indicates that the Orcs took their leader less seriously than they might have given him the impression of (similar to how the Mordor Orcs overheard by Sam and Frodo tended to disrespect their authorities).

=== Ents/Trees ===
Saruman made contact with the Ents in [[Fangorn Forest]] shortly after he settled in [[Isengard]]. The oldest of the Ents, [[Treebeard]] received him and gave him free access to the forest.

Saruman also consulted with Treebeard, learning much old lore that the Ents would have remembered from ancient times. Saruman did not return this favour, but only listened.

The Ents saw Saruman's treachery early, and became very concerned, primarily with Saruman's Orcs felling trees on the edge of Fangorn for use in the furnaces of Isengard—or sometimes for no reason at all.

The Ents also appear to have had a sense of order, how things should be, that Saruman encroached upon. The crossbreeding of Men and Orcs particularly alarmed them, out of proportion to other concerns enemies of Saruman might have had. Also alarming was the pure fact of his treachery — the Istari were supposed to have a special responsibility.

Saruman used the Ents and the Fangorn forest without concern for the consequences. He clearly misjudged the Ents' abilities and will to act. This might not have been as incautious as it seemed, since major contributing factors to the Ent's actions were advice and requests from Gandalf, and concern about the rising power of Sauron (and their wish to support the front-line troops of the war, Rohan and Gondor).

Saruman clearly had the ability to understand the minds of the Ents when he found it useful. He managed to talk Treebeard into setting him free from Orthanc by pushing just the right buttons — Ents dislike the concept of caging up any creature.

=== Hobbits ===
The race of [[Hobbits]] and their lands seemed too insignificant to interest Saruman: until he took notice of Gandalf's special concern for them.

His secret interest in Gandalf's doings made him focus gradually more and more on the Hobbits and The Shire. For a period he actually travelled there in secret, mapping out the lands. Gandalf was aware of this, but at this point only amused.

He began smoking pipe-weed (a habit of the Hobbits that Gandalf had picked up), also in secret. His demand for tobacco opened up trading between The Shire and Isengard, and the power his money could wield there and the corruption it could cause began to fascinate him. Some of his agents went in secret, and some were known to Gandalf and the [[Rangers]] (who accepted them, but were suspicious).

His anger towards the Hobbits may possibly stem from the attention Gandalf showed them (and not himself, or his projects). It certainly strengthened immensely when he discovered that the Hobbits (to his mind) had conspired with Gandalf to keep the [[One Ring]] from him.

This, and the sudden urgency caused by the [[Ringwraiths]]' hunt for the Ring-bearer from The Shire to Rivendell, made him increase his activity in the area, leading to a build-up of power that would by the closing of the [[War of the Ring]] lead to virtual conquest of The Shire.

He might also later have blamed the ruin of Isengard at the hands (or branches, really) of the Ents on [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]], who clearly catalysed events.

This all came together after Sauron's fall, when Saruman escaped from the Ents and retired to The Shire and his thug regime in place there. It appears he immediately switched the focus of this operation to wanton destruction: pollution, murder, fire, chopping down trees for no reason. He may have felt this would also allow him to deal a last blow to Gandalf.

At his final utter defeat by a Hobbit uprising, his life was spared even when he tried to assassinate [[Frodo Baggins]]. At this moment he actually conceded respect to Frodo, but it was (literally) short-lived.

=== Valar/Maiar ===
Saruman was supposedly eager to go to Middle-earth, against Manwë's counsel. After his 'death' he was apparently barred from returning to Valinor, and therefore was denied reincarnation and condemned to waft away and disappear like so much smoke. Sauron, in origin a Maia of Aulë like Saruman, amazed and frightened him. During the height of his arrogance Saruman thought to supplant Sauron as the Dark Lord, but in the end he found himself meddling with a spirit of far greater power than himself.

=== Animals ===
Saruman had control over many birds, probably through Radagast. These spied for him and brought him news. In addition, the Orcs Saruman took in his armies had amongst them [[Wargs]], a sort of intelligent demon-wolf.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Saruman from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|left|Saruman from [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi]]'s 1978 animated film of ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Fraser Kerr]] provided the voice of Saruman. From early on in the production, it was decided that "Saruman" and "Sauron" sounded too much alike, and might confuse viewers. On concept art, Saruman is called "Ruman"[http://www.ralphbakshi.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=5&pos=69], but prior to recording, this was changed to "Aruman". However, during recording, it was again changed, to "Saruman". Because of this late change, several instances of "Aruman" remain in the finished film.
[[Image:Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|[[Christopher Lee]] as Saruman in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
[[Peter Howell]] played Saruman in [[BBC]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|1981 radio serialisation]] of ''The Lord of the Rings''. Because the series follows a chronological timeline rather than the flashbacks of the books, Saruman's betrayal is brought out much sooner than in the book.

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman was played by [[Christopher Lee]]. The film did not depict Saruman's adoption of the title "Saruman of Many Colours". The film also did not include the [[Scouring of the Shire]], but depicted Saruman being killed by Gríma Wormtongue in Isengard, after his encounter with Gandalf and Théoden. In the [[The Return of the King Extended Edition|extended edition of The Return of the King]], Gríma stabs Saruman in the back, causing him to fall on a spiked wheel below the tower of Orthanc.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Saruman|Images of Saruman]]

{{wizards}}

{{maiar}}

[[Category:Isengard and Saruman]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Saruman]]
[[fi:Saruman]]

Sauron

2008-08-05T01:52:37Z

Sarumantw: /* Third Age */

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Timo Vihola - Sauron.jpg|250px]]
| name=Sauron
| othernames=[[Annatar]], [[Thû]], [[Necromancer]]
| created=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| years=c. [[Second Age 500|S.A. 500]]-[[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]], c. [[Third Age 1000|T.A. 1000]]-[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| age=
| destroyed=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| realm=[[Tol Sirion]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Mordor]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Maiar]]
| appearance=Took bat form, wolf form, fair form. Confined to monstrous appearance after [[Downfall of Númenor]]
| accomplishments=Deceived the [[Elves]] into forging [[Rings of Power]], made the [[One Ring]], corrupted [[Númenor]], seduced [[Saruman]], nearly took over [[Middle-earth]]
|}}
'''Sauron''' was the Chief Lieutenant of [[Morgoth]], who after his fall became another Dark Lord, and ultimately walked down the same ruinous path to oblivion. Sauron was the chief enemy in [[The Lord of the Rings]], which recounts his efforts to regain his lost ring, and relates in detail the story of his downfall.

His name is pronounced "sour-on" (''sour'' as in not sweet), or in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPA IPA] as: {{IPA|/'sɑʊron/}}.

== First Age ==
Sauron was in origin an "angelic" spirit called a [[Maiar|Maia]]. In the earliest of days he was among people of [[Aulë]], the Smith, one of the Valar, or ruling powers of the world. However, Sauron was soon ensnared by Melkor (the [[Morgoth]]), who wished to rule and order all Arda. Sauron served Morgoth faithfully, and even in later days, after Morgoth was defeated and locked outside the confines of the world, Sauron encouraged and coerced [[Men]] to worship Morgoth as a God. However, while Morgoth wanted to either control or destroy the very matter of [[Arda]] itself, Sauron's desire was to dominate the minds and wills of its creatures. It was in this that Sauron was perhaps more practical than his master Morgoth.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Huan Subdues Sauron.jpg|thumb|left|''Huan Subdues Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
During the [[First Age]], the [[Noldor]]in [[Elves]] left the [[Blessed Realm]] of [[Valinor]] in the [[West|Utter West]] (against the counsel of the Valar) in order to wage war on Morgoth, who had stolen the precious [[Silmarils]]. In that war, Sauron served as Morgoth's chief lieutenant, surpassing all others in rank. Known as '''''Gorthaur the Cruel''''', Sauron at that time was a master of illusions and changes of form, and [[Werewolves]] were his servants, chief among them [[Draugluin]], Sire of Werewolves, and [[Thuringwethil]], his vampire herald. When Morgoth left [[Angband]] to corrupt the newly awakened [[Men]], Sauron directed the War against the [[Elves]]. He conquered the Elvish isle of [[Tol Sirion]], so that it became known as ''Tol-in-Gaurhoth'', the Isle of Werewolves.

Ten years later, [[Finrod Felagund]], the king of [[Nargothrond]] and former lord of [[Tol Sirion]], died protecting [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] in captivity there; soon afterwards, [[Lúthien]] and [[Huan]] the Wolfhound defeated Sauron in that place and rescued Beren from the dungeons. After his resounding defeat by Lúthien, Sauron played little part in the events of the First Age (possibly hiding from Morgoth), and after his master was defeated and cast out by the Valar, Sauron repented and pled for mercy. But he was unwilling to return to the Utter West for judgment, and so he fled and hid.

== Second Age ==
[[Image:Annatar.jpg|thumb|left|''Annatar'' as envisioned by [[Weta]] from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
After lying hidden and dormant for about one thousand years, Sauron put on a fair visage in the [[Second Age]]. Calling himself '''''Annatar''''', the Lord of Gifts, he befriended the Elvish smiths of [[Eregion]], and counseled them in arts and magic. Not all the Elves trusted him, particularly Lady [[Galadriel]] and [[Gil-galad]], High King of the Ñoldor, but few listened to them. The Elves forged [[Rings of Power]], but in secret Sauron forged the [[One Ring]] in [[Mount Doom]] to rule the other rings, investing most of his own power into the Ring as he forged it.

In this time Sauron became known as the [[Dark Lord]] of [[Mordor]]. He raised [[Barad-dûr]], the Dark Tower, near Mount Doom; constructed the [[Black Gate]] of Mordor to prevent invasion; corrupted nine mortal Men with Rings of Power and turned them into the [[Nazgûl]] (Ringwraiths), his chief servants; and raised massive armies of [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], and Men, chiefly [[Easterlings]] and [[Southrons]]. Because of this, towards the end of the Second Age, Sauron assumed the titles of '''Lord of the Earth''' and '''King of Men'''.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Forging of the One.jpg|thumb|''The Forging of the One'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
This offended the Númenóreans, the powerful Men descended from the line of Beren and Lúthien, who lived on the island of Númenor in the sea between Middle-earth and Valinor. The proud Númenóreans came to Middle-earth with great force of arms, and Sauron's forces fled. Realizing he could not defeat the Numenoreans with military strength, Sauron allowed himself to be taken as a hostage to Númenor by King [[Ar-Pharazôn]]. There, he quickly grew from captive to advisor; he converted many Númenóreans to the worship of Morgoth, and raised a great temple in which he performed human sacrifices. Finally, he convinced the king to rebel against the Valar and attack Valinor itself. [[Eru]], the supreme god, then directly intervened: Númenor was drowned under the sea, and the great navy of Númenor was destroyed. Sauron was diminished in the flood of Númenor, and fled back to Mordor, where he slowly rebuilt his strength during the time known as the [[Dark Years]].

From this point on he was unable to assume a fair shape, and ruled now through terror and force. A few faithful Númenóreans were saved from the flood, and they founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] in Middle-earth. These faithful Men, led by [[Elendil]] and his sons, allied with the Elven-king, Gil-galad, and together fought Sauron and, after a long war, defeated him, although both Elendil and Gil-galad were killed. [[Isildur]], son of Elendil, cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and claimed it. Later, the Ring betrayed him and was lost for more than two thousand years.

== Third Age ==
In the [[Third Age]], Sauron rose yet again, at first in a stronghold called [[Dol Guldur]], the Hill of Sorcery, in southern [[Mirkwood]]. There he was known as the '''''[[Necromancer]]''''', and the Elves did not recognize him at first. [[Gandalf]] the [[Wizards|Wizard]] stole into Dol Guldur and discovered the truth; eventually the [[White Council]] of Wizards and Elves put forth their might and drove Sauron out. But the White Council was led by [[Saruman]], who wanted the Ring for himself, and he didn't want to attack Dol Guldur for this reason. When Gandalf insisted on an attack again the [[White councel]] attacked Dol Guldur, but unfortunately at this time he was already prepared for an attack and escaped to Mordor, rebuilding and fortifying his fortress Barad-Dûr again.
He now fortified Mordor and prepared for war against Gondor and the Elves, using Saruman, who now allied himself to Sauron, to defeat Rohan.

Sauron bred immense armies of Orcs and allies with which enslaved Men from the east and south. He adopted the symbol of a lidless eye, and he was able at that time to send out his will over Middle-earth, so that the [[Eye of Sauron]] was a symbol of power and fear. It is possible that he could still take physical form other than the lidless eye, as a former Ringbearer, [[Gollum]] (see below) speaks to [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] of Sauron only having four fingers on 'the [[Black Hand]]'.

After torturing Gollum, he learned that the One Ring had been found by [[Bilbo Baggins]] [[The Hobbit]]. He sent his highest captains, also know as the Nine or [[Naggûl]], to the [[Shire]], Bilbo's home, only to find that both Bilbo and his nephew, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], had departed.
Unbeknownst to Sauron, Frodo had, at the behest of Gandalf, joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] on a quest to destroy the Ring forever by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom, in the heart of Mordor. He rallied his vast armies to conquer the resistance's strongholds, and sent the Ringwraiths to find and kill Frodo. At about this time, he also learned that [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], Isildur's heir, had also joined the Fellowship, and was rallying armies to defeat his.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|220px|left|''The Shadow of Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When Saruman's army is defeated at [[Isengard]], Aragorn uses the Palantir of Orthanc to reveal himself to Sauron. Sauron jumps to the conclusion that Aragorn has the ring and sends an army commanded by his strongest servant, The Witch-King of Angmar, to overthrow [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]] in what would become known as the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

Although Sauron loses the Battle of Pelennor Fields, the free forces of the west are greatly weakened, and Sauron still has sufficent armies in reserve to ensure military victory. He is outwitted, however, by the strategy of Gandalf, who urges the captains of the free peoples to march against Sauron, thus diverting the Dark Lord's eye from the real threat of Frodo, the Ring Bearer, who is nearing the end of his quest to destroy the One Ring.

Frodo, however, fails at the last moment, unable to resist the power of the Ring at the place of its birth. But Gollum inadvertently saves him by recovering the Ring in a desperate attempt to possess it and then falling with it into the fire. Thus Sauron's power is unmade, and his corporeal power in Middle-earth comes to an end. His spirit towers above Mordor like a black cloud, but is blown away by a powerful wind from the [[Aman|West]], and Sauron is now permanently crippled, never to rise again. ([[Saruman]] soon suffers a lesser version of this fate.)

== Names and Titles ==
In some of Tolkien's notes from the 1950's, it is said that Sauron's original name was '''Mairon''', "the admirable", "but this was altered after he was suborned by Melkor. But he continued to call himself Mairon the Admirable, or Tar-mairon 'King Excellent', until after Númenors downfall." ([[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17, 183)

''Sauron'' (originally '''''Thauron''''') is [[Quenya]], and can be translated as ''the Abhorred'' or ''the Abomination''; in [[Sindarin]] he is called ''Gorthaur'' the [[Necromancer]], ''the Abhorred Dread''. He is also called the '''Nameless Enemy''', which is hardly accurate (but perhaps an effort to lessen his psychological impact), whereas Morgoth is the Dark Enemy. The Dúnedain call him '''Sauron the Deceiver''' due to his role in the downfall of Númenor and the Forging of the Rings of Power. His two most common titles, the Dark Lord of Mordor and the ''Lord of the Rings'', appear only a few times in the books. His other titles were similar to Morgoth's.

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
Prior to the publication of ''The Silmarillion'' Sauron's origins and true identity were unclear to those without full access to Tolkien's notes. In early editions of the ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth|Guide to Middle Earth]]'', Sauron is described as "probably of the Eldar elves."

Since the earliest versions of the ''Silmarillion'' legendarium as detailed in [[the History of Middle-earth]] series, Sauron has undergone many changes. The prototype of this character was '''[[Tevildo]]''', lord of the cats, who played the role later taken by Sauron in the earliest version of the story of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the '''[[Tale of Tinúviel]]'''. Tevildo later (but still in the ''Book of Lost Tales'' period) was transformed into '''[[Thû]]''', the Necromancer. The name was then changed to '''Gorthû''', '''Sûr''', and finally to Sauron. ''Gorthû'', in the form ''Gorthaur'' remained in ''The Silmarillion''.

==See also==
*'''[[:Category:Images of Sauron|Images of Sauron]]'''
*[[Akallabêth]]
*[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]
*[[The Dark Lord Sauron polystone statue]]

{{sequence
|prev=''none''
|next=[[Isildur]]
|list=[[Ring-bearer]]<br>c. [[Second Age 1600|S.A. 1600]] – [[Second Age 3441|3441]]}}{{maiar}}

[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Sauron]]
[[fi:Sauron]]

Sauron

2008-08-05T01:49:37Z

Sarumantw: /* Third Age */

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Timo Vihola - Sauron.jpg|250px]]
| name=Sauron
| othernames=[[Annatar]], [[Thû]], [[Necromancer]]
| created=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| years=c. [[Second Age 500|S.A. 500]]-[[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]], c. [[Third Age 1000|T.A. 1000]]-[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| age=
| destroyed=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| realm=[[Tol Sirion]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Mordor]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Maiar]]
| appearance=Took bat form, wolf form, fair form. Confined to monstrous appearance after [[Downfall of Númenor]]
| accomplishments=Deceived the [[Elves]] into forging [[Rings of Power]], made the [[One Ring]], corrupted [[Númenor]], seduced [[Saruman]], nearly took over [[Middle-earth]]
|}}
'''Sauron''' was the Chief Lieutenant of [[Morgoth]], who after his fall became another Dark Lord, and ultimately walked down the same ruinous path to oblivion. Sauron was the chief enemy in [[The Lord of the Rings]], which recounts his efforts to regain his lost ring, and relates in detail the story of his downfall.

His name is pronounced "sour-on" (''sour'' as in not sweet), or in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPA IPA] as: {{IPA|/'sɑʊron/}}.

== First Age ==
Sauron was in origin an "angelic" spirit called a [[Maiar|Maia]]. In the earliest of days he was among people of [[Aulë]], the Smith, one of the Valar, or ruling powers of the world. However, Sauron was soon ensnared by Melkor (the [[Morgoth]]), who wished to rule and order all Arda. Sauron served Morgoth faithfully, and even in later days, after Morgoth was defeated and locked outside the confines of the world, Sauron encouraged and coerced [[Men]] to worship Morgoth as a God. However, while Morgoth wanted to either control or destroy the very matter of [[Arda]] itself, Sauron's desire was to dominate the minds and wills of its creatures. It was in this that Sauron was perhaps more practical than his master Morgoth.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Huan Subdues Sauron.jpg|thumb|left|''Huan Subdues Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
During the [[First Age]], the [[Noldor]]in [[Elves]] left the [[Blessed Realm]] of [[Valinor]] in the [[West|Utter West]] (against the counsel of the Valar) in order to wage war on Morgoth, who had stolen the precious [[Silmarils]]. In that war, Sauron served as Morgoth's chief lieutenant, surpassing all others in rank. Known as '''''Gorthaur the Cruel''''', Sauron at that time was a master of illusions and changes of form, and [[Werewolves]] were his servants, chief among them [[Draugluin]], Sire of Werewolves, and [[Thuringwethil]], his vampire herald. When Morgoth left [[Angband]] to corrupt the newly awakened [[Men]], Sauron directed the War against the [[Elves]]. He conquered the Elvish isle of [[Tol Sirion]], so that it became known as ''Tol-in-Gaurhoth'', the Isle of Werewolves.

Ten years later, [[Finrod Felagund]], the king of [[Nargothrond]] and former lord of [[Tol Sirion]], died protecting [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] in captivity there; soon afterwards, [[Lúthien]] and [[Huan]] the Wolfhound defeated Sauron in that place and rescued Beren from the dungeons. After his resounding defeat by Lúthien, Sauron played little part in the events of the First Age (possibly hiding from Morgoth), and after his master was defeated and cast out by the Valar, Sauron repented and pled for mercy. But he was unwilling to return to the Utter West for judgment, and so he fled and hid.

== Second Age ==
[[Image:Annatar.jpg|thumb|left|''Annatar'' as envisioned by [[Weta]] from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
After lying hidden and dormant for about one thousand years, Sauron put on a fair visage in the [[Second Age]]. Calling himself '''''Annatar''''', the Lord of Gifts, he befriended the Elvish smiths of [[Eregion]], and counseled them in arts and magic. Not all the Elves trusted him, particularly Lady [[Galadriel]] and [[Gil-galad]], High King of the Ñoldor, but few listened to them. The Elves forged [[Rings of Power]], but in secret Sauron forged the [[One Ring]] in [[Mount Doom]] to rule the other rings, investing most of his own power into the Ring as he forged it.

In this time Sauron became known as the [[Dark Lord]] of [[Mordor]]. He raised [[Barad-dûr]], the Dark Tower, near Mount Doom; constructed the [[Black Gate]] of Mordor to prevent invasion; corrupted nine mortal Men with Rings of Power and turned them into the [[Nazgûl]] (Ringwraiths), his chief servants; and raised massive armies of [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], and Men, chiefly [[Easterlings]] and [[Southrons]]. Because of this, towards the end of the Second Age, Sauron assumed the titles of '''Lord of the Earth''' and '''King of Men'''.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Forging of the One.jpg|thumb|''The Forging of the One'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
This offended the Númenóreans, the powerful Men descended from the line of Beren and Lúthien, who lived on the island of Númenor in the sea between Middle-earth and Valinor. The proud Númenóreans came to Middle-earth with great force of arms, and Sauron's forces fled. Realizing he could not defeat the Numenoreans with military strength, Sauron allowed himself to be taken as a hostage to Númenor by King [[Ar-Pharazôn]]. There, he quickly grew from captive to advisor; he converted many Númenóreans to the worship of Morgoth, and raised a great temple in which he performed human sacrifices. Finally, he convinced the king to rebel against the Valar and attack Valinor itself. [[Eru]], the supreme god, then directly intervened: Númenor was drowned under the sea, and the great navy of Númenor was destroyed. Sauron was diminished in the flood of Númenor, and fled back to Mordor, where he slowly rebuilt his strength during the time known as the [[Dark Years]].

From this point on he was unable to assume a fair shape, and ruled now through terror and force. A few faithful Númenóreans were saved from the flood, and they founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] in Middle-earth. These faithful Men, led by [[Elendil]] and his sons, allied with the Elven-king, Gil-galad, and together fought Sauron and, after a long war, defeated him, although both Elendil and Gil-galad were killed. [[Isildur]], son of Elendil, cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and claimed it. Later, the Ring betrayed him and was lost for more than two thousand years.

== Third Age ==
In the [[Third Age]], Sauron rose yet again, at first in a stronghold called [[Dol Guldur]], the Hill of Sorcery, in southern [[Mirkwood]]. There he was known as the '''''[[Necromancer]]''''', and the Elves did not recognize him at first. [[Gandalf]] the [[Wizards|Wizard]] stole into Dol Guldur and discovered the truth; eventually the [[White Council]] of Wizards and Elves put forth their might and drove Sauron out. But the White Council was led by [[Saruman]], who wanted the Ring for himself, and he didn't want to attack Dol Guldur for this reason. When Gandalf insisted on an attack again the [[White councel]] attacked Dol Guldur, but unfortunately at this time he was already prepared for an attack and escaped to Mordor, rebuilding and fortifying his fortress Barad-Dûr again.
He now fortified Mordor and prepared for war against Gondor and the Elves, using Saruman, who now allied himself to Sauron, to defeat Rohan.

Sauron bred immense armies of Orcs and allies with which enslaved Men from the east and south. He adopted the symbol of a lidless eye, and he was able at that time to send out his will over Middle-earth, so that the [[Eye of Sauron]] was a symbol of power and fear. It is possible that he could still take physical form other than the lidless eye, as a former Ringbearer, [[Gollum]] (see below) speaks to [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] of Sauron only having four fingers on 'the [[Black Hand]]'.

After torturing Gollum, he learned that the One Ring had been found by [[Bilbo Baggins]] [[The Hobbit]]. He sent his agents to the [[Shire]], Bilbo's home, only to find that both Bilbo and his nephew, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], had gone. Unbeknownst to Sauron, Frodo had, at the behest of Gandalf, joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] on a quest to destroy the Ring forever by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom, in the heart of Mordor. He rallied his vast armies to conquer the resistance's strongholds, and sent the Ringwraiths to find and kill Frodo. At about this time, he also learned that [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], Isildur's heir, had also joined the Fellowship, and was rallying armies to defeat his.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|220px|left|''The Shadow of Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When Saruman's army is defeated at [[Isengard]], Aragorn uses the Palantir of Orthanc to reveal himself to Sauron. Sauron jumps to the conclusion that Aragorn has the ring and sends an army commanded by his strongest servant, The Witch-King of Angmar, to overthrow [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]] in what would become known as the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

Although Sauron loses the Battle of Pelennor Fields, the free forces of the west are greatly weakened, and Sauron still has sufficent armies in reserve to ensure military victory. He is outwitted, however, by the strategy of Gandalf, who urges the captains of the free peoples to march against Sauron, thus diverting the Dark Lord's eye from the real threat of Frodo, the Ring Bearer, who is nearing the end of his quest to destroy the One Ring.

Frodo, however, fails at the last moment, unable to resist the power of the Ring at the place of its birth. But Gollum inadvertently saves him by recovering the Ring in a desperate attempt to possess it and then falling with it into the fire. Thus Sauron's power is unmade, and his corporeal power in Middle-earth comes to an end. His spirit towers above Mordor like a black cloud, but is blown away by a powerful wind from the [[Aman|West]], and Sauron is now permanently crippled, never to rise again. ([[Saruman]] soon suffers a lesser version of this fate.)

== Names and Titles ==
In some of Tolkien's notes from the 1950's, it is said that Sauron's original name was '''Mairon''', "the admirable", "but this was altered after he was suborned by Melkor. But he continued to call himself Mairon the Admirable, or Tar-mairon 'King Excellent', until after Númenors downfall." ([[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17, 183)

''Sauron'' (originally '''''Thauron''''') is [[Quenya]], and can be translated as ''the Abhorred'' or ''the Abomination''; in [[Sindarin]] he is called ''Gorthaur'' the [[Necromancer]], ''the Abhorred Dread''. He is also called the '''Nameless Enemy''', which is hardly accurate (but perhaps an effort to lessen his psychological impact), whereas Morgoth is the Dark Enemy. The Dúnedain call him '''Sauron the Deceiver''' due to his role in the downfall of Númenor and the Forging of the Rings of Power. His two most common titles, the Dark Lord of Mordor and the ''Lord of the Rings'', appear only a few times in the books. His other titles were similar to Morgoth's.

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
Prior to the publication of ''The Silmarillion'' Sauron's origins and true identity were unclear to those without full access to Tolkien's notes. In early editions of the ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth|Guide to Middle Earth]]'', Sauron is described as "probably of the Eldar elves."

Since the earliest versions of the ''Silmarillion'' legendarium as detailed in [[the History of Middle-earth]] series, Sauron has undergone many changes. The prototype of this character was '''[[Tevildo]]''', lord of the cats, who played the role later taken by Sauron in the earliest version of the story of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the '''[[Tale of Tinúviel]]'''. Tevildo later (but still in the ''Book of Lost Tales'' period) was transformed into '''[[Thû]]''', the Necromancer. The name was then changed to '''Gorthû''', '''Sûr''', and finally to Sauron. ''Gorthû'', in the form ''Gorthaur'' remained in ''The Silmarillion''.

==See also==
*'''[[:Category:Images of Sauron|Images of Sauron]]'''
*[[Akallabêth]]
*[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]
*[[The Dark Lord Sauron polystone statue]]

{{sequence
|prev=''none''
|next=[[Isildur]]
|list=[[Ring-bearer]]<br>c. [[Second Age 1600|S.A. 1600]] – [[Second Age 3441|3441]]}}{{maiar}}

[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Sauron]]
[[fi:Sauron]]

Radagast

2008-08-04T19:24:28Z

Sarumantw:

{{Istari infobox
| image=[[Image:Radagast (Decipher).JPG|250px]]
| name= Radagast
| othernames= The Brown, [[Aiwendil]], Bird Friend, Tender of Beasts, [[Bird-tamer]]
| coming=[[Third Age 1000]]
| duty=[[Istari]]
| death=Unknown
| gender=Male
| robes= Brown
| height=
| hair=White and Grey
| eyes=
| appearance=Old man cloaked in brown.
|}}
{{quote|Radagast the Brown! ... Radagast the Bird-tamer! Radagast the Simple! Radagast the Fool! Yet he had just the wit to play the part that I set him.|[[Saruman]], ''[[The Council of Elrond]]''}}

'''Radagast the Brown''' was one of the [[Wizards]], a good friend of [[Gandalf]], and had a strong affinity for animals. He lived at [[Rhosgobel]], on the western eaves of [[Mirkwood]], near the [[Gladden Fields]] on the [[Anduin|Great River]].

== History ==
Radagast, like the other Wizards, came from [[Valinor]] around the year [[Third Age 1000|1000]] of the [[Third Age]] and was one of the [[Maiar]]. His original name was Aiwendil, meaning ''Bird Friend'' in [[Quenya]]. The [[Valar|Vala]] [[Yavanna]] forced [[Saruman]] to accept Radagast as a companion, which may have been one of the reasons Saruman was contemptuous of him.

The wizard's home was in [[Rhosgobel]] on the western borders of [[Mirkwood]]. He was a friend of [[Beorn]] as well as a friend to the forest's many creatures, especially birds whom he communicated with. Despite this, Gandalf was still more knowledgeable of the animals, and more respected by them than Radagast. Radagast spent most of his time with the wildlife instead of [[Men]] and [[Elves]], whom he found more difficult to deal with. Radagast grew neglectful and easygoing, and he lacked courage, however he remained of good will.

In the summer of [[Third Age 3018|3018]] Radagast was unwittingly used by Saruman to lure Gandalf to [[Orthanc]], sending him to [[bree]] with a message for Gandalf. In tihs message Saruman asked Gandalf to come to Orthanc, where Saruman trapped and captured him. Luckily, Radagast didn't mean any harm to Gandalf, and wasn't aware of Saruman's plan. So Radagast also helped rescue the grey wizard by alerting the [[Eagles]] of Gandalf's journey there.

Radagast is without a doubt a mysterious character. While there is little doubt that his heart was in the right place, he did not possess that same selflessness that allowed Gandalf to fulfill the task set to him by the Valar, to aid the free people. Deigning to leave his wooded home, Radagast remained in Northern Mirkwood with the birds and the beasts and the trees.

So in the end, it seems that Radagast was among the four wizards who failed in their tasks to help fight against Sauron. He was not ambitious and cruel like Saruman, but there is no record of him contributing to the downfall of Sauron.

What became of Radagast the Brown in the [[Fourth Age]] is left to speculation. It is possible that he was allowed to return to Valinor, but this seems unlikely. Radagast may have left to wander [[Middle-earth]], or he may have stayed with his birds and his beasts, content to while away the days in Mirkwood until he himself faded away and became part of the forest, the trees and the plants and the leaves.

==Other names==
[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Radagast.jpg|thumb|right|''Radagast'' by [[Angelo Montanini]]]]
* The Brown
* [[Aiwendil]]
* Bird Friend
* Tender of Beasts
* Radagast the Bird-tamer - a name mockingly given to Radagast by Saruman.
* Radagast the Simple - a name mockingly given to Radagast by Saruman.
* Radagast the Fool - a name mockingly given to Radagast by Saruman.

== Etymology ==
According to the essay "The Istari" from the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', the name ''Radagast'' means "tender of beasts" in [[Adûnaic]], the language of [[Númenor]]. However, in a later note [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] said that the name is in the language of the [[Men]] of the [[Vales of Anduin]], and that its meaning is not interpretable.

The name ''Radagast'' may actually be [[Anglo-Saxon]]. The word ''gast'' means "ghost, spirit, angel." The element ''rad'' could be derived from ''rudu'', meaning "ruddy, reddish." If this is the case, his name could be translated as "Ruddy Angel." Since the Maiar are Tolkien's 'lesser angels', Radagast would mean simply "Ruddy Maia", perhaps in reference to his cloak's color (brown, or perhaps ruddy brown). But this may be too much speculation. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radegast_%28god%29 Radagast (god)] for meaning of the name in Slavic languages from which Tolkien possibly drew the name.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Donald Gee]] provided the voice of Radagast. He is however not the person who sends the [[Eagles|Eagle]] to save Gandalf from [[Orthanc]].

'''2001: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The character Radagast and virtually all references to him were removed. He was originally to appear in a background scene, but this was removed because it would only confuse people. He later appeared on a [[Decipher Card]], played by [[Weta]]'s John Harding.

==References==
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Queer Lodgings]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Council of Elrond]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Istari]]
* ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'' "The Etymologies," entries AIWE and (N)DIL
* ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 156]]

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

{{wizards}}

{{maiar}}
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Radagast]]
[[fi:Radagast]]

Nargothrond

2008-08-04T18:57:17Z

Sarumantw: /* Days of Power */

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Felix Sotomayor - Nargothrond.jpg|300px]]
| name = Nargothrond
| meaning =
| type =
| headofstate = King of Nargothrond
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = Nargothrond
| language = Sindarin
| location = The meeting of the rivers [[Ringwil]] and [[Narog]], beneath the [[High Faroth]]
| populace= Noldorin elves
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[First Age 52|F.A. 52]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[First Age 495|F.A. 495]]
| restored =
}}

'''Nargothrond''' was the stronghold built by [[Finrod Felagund]] to dwell in, delved into the banks of the river [[Narog]] in [[Beleriand]]. This was the base of Felagund's realm that included the lands to the north (the ''[[Talath Dirnen]]'' or [[Guarded Plain]]) and surrounding.

==History==
===Creation===

Inspired by [[Menegroth]] in [[Doriath]], and seeking a hidden place from which to be safe from the forces of [[Morgoth]], Finrod established it in the early years of the [[First Age]], in the Caverns of Narog beneath the forested hills of [[Taur-en-Faroth]] on the western bank of Narog. He was aided by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Ered Luin]], who also made for him the [[Nauglamír]], the Necklace of the Dwarves.

However, Finrod was not the first to delve in those caves: it had first been inhabited by the [[Petty-dwarves]] before they were driven out.

===Days of Power===

Finrod ruled Nargothrond until he joined [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] in his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] and gave it to [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]]. However, since the [[Dagor Bragollach]] the sons of [[Fëanor]], [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin] were defeated and had to retreat to Nargothrond, where they were conceived as one of them, but though the city grew stronger because of this, the influence of the sons of Feänor became higher.
Celegorm and Curufin lived in Nargothrond at the time Finrod departed Nargothrond with Beren and were more powerful than Orodreth until Finrod's death was reported, at which time they were exiled.

===Fall===
(''Main article: [[Fall of Nargothrond]]'')

[[Túrin Turambar]] later came to Nargothrond and became one of its chief fighters, but he also persuaded the people to fight openly against Morgoth (the bridge was built at this time), which eventually led to its sack by the army of the dragon [[Glaurung]].

===Afterwards===

[[Glaurung]] stayed there for about five more years guarding his stolen horde until he went Northeast to [[Brethil]] to assail Turin, and after being killed by him at [[Cabed-en-Aras]] he never returned. Then, [[Mim]] the Petty Dwarf settled there reclaiming his peoples ancient home until he was killed by [[Hurin]]. The realm remained deserted for the rest of the first age until the [[War of Wrath]] when it went down with the rest of the Beleriand.

==Etymology==
From its first conception, the name '''Nargothrond''' means "Underground fortress on the river [[Narog]]". Its [[Petty-dwarves|Petty-dwarvish]] name was '''[[Nulukkizdîn|Nulukkhizdîn]]''' (erronously spelled ''Nulukkizdîn'' in the published works). However, in his later life, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] devised the Dwarvish name ''Narukathan'' instead, to which the Elves suffixed -''[[rondo|rond]]'', "vaulted dome".

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

[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Caves]]

Nargothrond

2008-08-04T18:56:40Z

Sarumantw: /* Days of Power */

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Felix Sotomayor - Nargothrond.jpg|300px]]
| name = Nargothrond
| meaning =
| type =
| headofstate = King of Nargothrond
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = Nargothrond
| language = Sindarin
| location = The meeting of the rivers [[Ringwil]] and [[Narog]], beneath the [[High Faroth]]
| populace= Noldorin elves
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[First Age 52|F.A. 52]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[First Age 495|F.A. 495]]
| restored =
}}

'''Nargothrond''' was the stronghold built by [[Finrod Felagund]] to dwell in, delved into the banks of the river [[Narog]] in [[Beleriand]]. This was the base of Felagund's realm that included the lands to the north (the ''[[Talath Dirnen]]'' or [[Guarded Plain]]) and surrounding.

==History==
===Creation===

Inspired by [[Menegroth]] in [[Doriath]], and seeking a hidden place from which to be safe from the forces of [[Morgoth]], Finrod established it in the early years of the [[First Age]], in the Caverns of Narog beneath the forested hills of [[Taur-en-Faroth]] on the western bank of Narog. He was aided by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Ered Luin]], who also made for him the [[Nauglamír]], the Necklace of the Dwarves.

However, Finrod was not the first to delve in those caves: it had first been inhabited by the [[Petty-dwarves]] before they were driven out.

===Days of Power===

Finrod ruled Nargothrond until he joined [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] in his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] and gave it to [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]]. However, since the [[Dagor Brachollag]] the sons of [[Fëanor]], [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin] were defeated and had to retreat to Nargothrond, where they were conceived as one of them, but though the city grew stronger because of this, the influence of the sons of Feänor became higher.
Celegorm and Curufin lived in Nargothrond at the time Finrod departed Nargothrond with Beren and were more powerful than Orodreth until Finrod's death was reported, at which time they were exiled.

===Fall===
(''Main article: [[Fall of Nargothrond]]'')

[[Túrin Turambar]] later came to Nargothrond and became one of its chief fighters, but he also persuaded the people to fight openly against Morgoth (the bridge was built at this time), which eventually led to its sack by the army of the dragon [[Glaurung]].

===Afterwards===

[[Glaurung]] stayed there for about five more years guarding his stolen horde until he went Northeast to [[Brethil]] to assail Turin, and after being killed by him at [[Cabed-en-Aras]] he never returned. Then, [[Mim]] the Petty Dwarf settled there reclaiming his peoples ancient home until he was killed by [[Hurin]]. The realm remained deserted for the rest of the first age until the [[War of Wrath]] when it went down with the rest of the Beleriand.

==Etymology==
From its first conception, the name '''Nargothrond''' means "Underground fortress on the river [[Narog]]". Its [[Petty-dwarves|Petty-dwarvish]] name was '''[[Nulukkizdîn|Nulukkhizdîn]]''' (erronously spelled ''Nulukkizdîn'' in the published works). However, in his later life, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] devised the Dwarvish name ''Narukathan'' instead, to which the Elves suffixed -''[[rondo|rond]]'', "vaulted dome".

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

[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Caves]]

Brethil

2008-08-04T16:53:13Z

Sarumantw:

{{expansion}}

{{location
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Orc-Host is Ambushed in Brethil.jpg|300px]]
| name=Brethil
| othernames=
| etymology=[[S.]] ''[[brethil (Sindarin word)|brethil]]'' "beech"
| type=Forest
| location=Between [[Teiglin]] and [[Sirion]]
| inhabitants=[[Haladin]], [[Sindar]]
| realms=[[Haladin]], [[Doriath]]
| description=Forest of silver birches, with [[Amon Obel]] amidmost
| events=
| references=''[[The Silmarillion]]'' (throughout)
|}}
'''Brethil''' was a cluster of woods between the [[Teiglin]] and the [[Sirion]], originally part of [[Doriath]]. It was to Brethil that the [[House of Haleth]] removed after dwelling east of the river [[Gelion]]. Some [[Drúedain]] also dwelt there. The main feature of the forest was the hill of [[Amon Obel]], upon which stood [[Ephel Brandir]], the main settlement of the Haladin.

The men of Brethil also took part in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], were they were all slain.

Túrin came here after the destruction of [[Nargothrond]] and the journey to [[Dor-Lómin]], and rested here for a while, untill rumours came again about Glaurung, the father of all dragons.
At the borders of this forest [[Glaurung]] was slain by Túrin.

{{Pronounce|Brethil.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Southwest Beleriand]]
[[de:Brethil]]
[[fi:Brethilin Metsä]]

Glaurung

2008-08-04T16:33:04Z

Sarumantw:

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|250px]]
| name=Glaurung
| othernames="The Deceiver," "The Great Worm," "The Father of Dragons"
| created=Unknown
| years=[[First Age|F.A.]] [[First Age 260|260]] - [[First Age 499|499]]
| age=Unknown
| destroyed=[[First Age 499|F.A. 499]]
| realm=[[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Dragons]]
| appearance=
| accomplishments=[[Sack of Nargothrond]], death of [[Túrin Turambar]]
|}}
Known as the Deceiver and [[Great Worm]], '''Glaurung''' was a land-bound fire-breathing [[Dragons|Dragon]].

Glaurung was a very powerful and cunning dragon, and he used his abilities to achieve his desired ends without resorting to direct physical violence (which he was equally proficient at). It was his nature to trick and deceive, and to spread lies and deceptions so cleverly that they could not be discovered until it was too late. In this manner, he accomplished much more damage than he could have with brute force, and caused the destruction of the [[Elves|Elven]] stronghold of [[Nargothrond]] and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, [[Túrin Turambar]]. He caused [[Dragon-spell|amnesia]] in Túrin's sister [[Nienor Níniel]], and since she had never met her brother, they eventually married. However, Glaurung himself was slain by Túrin before he committed suicide.

==History==
[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]] Glaurung was called the Father of Dragons. It is not known with certainty, but it is largely suspected that he sired the rest of his race (or at least of his own sub-species, the Urulóki: wingless firebreathing dragons). He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of [[Angband]]. This first appearance occurred during the Siege of Angband, when he came forth to attack. This battle is called the [[Dagor Bragollach]] (Battle of Sudden Flame) because of the fire he unleashed at his enemies, destroying the land of [[Ard-galen]] in a river of flames (This is the reason that this land was renamed to [[Anfauglith]], land of ashes. But Morgoth wasn't pleased because he showed himself too early when he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers led by Fingon son of Fingolfin. {{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city. It is likely that he is the dragon that appears in Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" in ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', which seems to be based on the events at Nargothrond.

In earlier versions of the legendarium, he was called ''Glómund''.

===See Also===
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]

{{dragons}}

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[de:Glaurung]]
[[fi:Glaurung]]

Glaurung

2008-08-04T16:32:27Z

Sarumantw:

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|250px]]
| name=Glaurung
| othernames="The Deceiver," "The Great Worm," "The Father of Dragons"
| created=Unknown
| years=[[First Age|F.A.]] [[First Age 260|260]] - [[First Age 499|499]]
| age=Unknown
| destroyed=[[First Age 499|F.A. 499]]
| realm=[[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Dragons]]
| appearance=
| accomplishments=[[Sack of Nargothrond]], death of [[Túrin Turambar]]
|}}
Known as the Deceiver and [[Great Worm]], '''Glaurung''' was a land-bound fire-breathing [[Dragons|Dragon]].

Glaurung was a very powerful and cunning dragon, and he used his abilities to achieve his desired ends without resorting to direct physical violence (which he was equally proficient at). It was his nature to trick and deceive, and to spread lies and deceptions so cleverly that they could not be discovered until it was too late. In this manner, he accomplished much more damage than he could have with brute force, and caused the destruction of the [[Elves|Elven]] stronghold of [[Nargothrond]] and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, [[Túrin Turambar]]. He caused [[Dragon-spell|amnesia]] in Túrin's sister [[Nienor Níniel]], and since she had never met her brother, they eventually married. However, Glaurung himself was slain by Túrin before he committed suicide.

==History==
[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]] Glaurung was called the Father of Dragons. It is not known with certainty, but it is largely suspected that he sired the rest of his race (or at least of his own sub-species, the Urulóki: wingless firebreathing dragons). He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of [[Angband]]. This first appearance occurred during the Siege of Angband, when he came forth to attack. This battle is called the [[Dagor Bragollach]] (Battle of Sudden Flame) because of the fire he unleashed at his enemies, destroying the land of [[Ard-Galen]] in a river of flames (This is the reason that this land was renamed to [[Anfauglith]], land of ashes. But Morgoth wasn't pleased because he showed himself too early when he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers led by Fingon son of Fingolfin. {{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city. It is likely that he is the dragon that appears in Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" in ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', which seems to be based on the events at Nargothrond.

In earlier versions of the legendarium, he was called ''Glómund''.

===See Also===
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]

{{dragons}}

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[de:Glaurung]]
[[fi:Glaurung]]

Glaurung

2008-08-04T16:31:53Z

Sarumantw:

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|250px]]
| name=Glaurung
| othernames="The Deceiver," "The Great Worm," "The Father of Dragons"
| created=Unknown
| years=[[First Age|F.A.]] [[First Age 260|260]] - [[First Age 499|499]]
| age=Unknown
| destroyed=[[First Age 499|F.A. 499]]
| realm=[[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Dragons]]
| appearance=
| accomplishments=[[Sack of Nargothrond]], death of [[Túrin Turambar]]
|}}
Known as the Deceiver and [[Great Worm]], '''Glaurung''' was a land-bound fire-breathing [[Dragons|Dragon]].

Glaurung was a very powerful and cunning dragon, and he used his abilities to achieve his desired ends without resorting to direct physical violence (which he was equally proficient at). It was his nature to trick and deceive, and to spread lies and deceptions so cleverly that they could not be discovered until it was too late. In this manner, he accomplished much more damage than he could have with brute force, and caused the destruction of the [[Elves|Elven]] stronghold of [[Nargothrond]] and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, [[Túrin Turambar]]. He caused [[Dragon-spell|amnesia]] in Túrin's sister [[Nienor Níniel]], and since she had never met her brother, they eventually married. However, Glaurung himself was slain by Túrin before he committed suicide.

==History==
[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]] Glaurung was called the Father of Dragons. It is not known with certainty, but it is largely suspected that he sired the rest of his race (or at least of his own sub-species, the Urulóki: wingless firebreathing dragons). He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of [[Angband]]. This first appearance occurred during the Siege of Angband, when he came forth to attack. This battle is called the [[Dagor Bragollach]] (Battle of Sudden Flame) because of the fire he unleashed at his enemies, destroying the land of [[Ard-Galen]] in a river of flames (This is the reason that this land was renamed to [[Anfauglith, land of ashes]]. But Morgoth wasn't pleased because he showed himself too early when he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers led by Fingon son of Fingolfin. {{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city. It is likely that he is the dragon that appears in Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" in ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', which seems to be based on the events at Nargothrond.

In earlier versions of the legendarium, he was called ''Glómund''.

===See Also===
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]

{{dragons}}

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[de:Glaurung]]
[[fi:Glaurung]]

Glaurung

2008-08-04T16:28:47Z

Sarumantw:

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|250px]]
| name=Glaurung
| othernames="The Deceiver," "The Great Worm," "The Father of Dragons"
| created=Unknown
| years=[[First Age|F.A.]] [[First Age 260|260]] - [[First Age 499|499]]
| age=Unknown
| destroyed=[[First Age 499|F.A. 499]]
| realm=[[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Dragons]]
| appearance=
| accomplishments=[[Sack of Nargothrond]], death of [[Túrin Turambar]]
|}}
Known as the Deceiver and [[Great Worm]], '''Glaurung''' was a land-bound fire-breathing [[Dragons|Dragon]].

Glaurung was a very powerful and cunning dragon, and he used his abilities to achieve his desired ends without resorting to direct physical violence (which he was equally proficient at). It was his nature to trick and deceive, and to spread lies and deceptions so cleverly that they could not be discovered until it was too late. In this manner, he accomplished much more damage than he could have with brute force, and caused the destruction of the [[Elves|Elven]] stronghold of [[Nargothrond]] and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, [[Túrin Turambar]]. He caused [[Dragon-spell|amnesia]] in Túrin's sister [[Nienor Níniel]], and since she had never met her brother, they eventually married. However, Glaurung himself was slain by Túrin before he committed suicide.

==History==
[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]] Glaurung was called the Father of Dragons. It is not known with certainty, but it is largely suspected that he sired the rest of his race (or at least of his own sub-species, the Urulóki: wingless firebreathing dragons). He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of [[Angband]]. This first appearance occurred during the Siege of Angband, when he came forth to attack, which is called the [[Dagor Bragollach]] (Battle of Sudden Flame) because of the fire he unleashed at his enemies. But Morgoth wasn't pleased because he showed himself too early when he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers led by Fingon son of Fingolfin. {{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city. It is likely that he is the dragon that appears in Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" in ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', which seems to be based on the events at Nargothrond.

In earlier versions of the legendarium, he was called ''Glómund''.

===See Also===
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]

{{dragons}}

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[de:Glaurung]]
[[fi:Glaurung]]

Brethil

2008-08-04T16:25:36Z

Sarumantw:

{{expansion}}

{{location
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Orc-Host is Ambushed in Brethil.jpg|300px]]
| name=Brethil
| othernames=
| etymology=[[S.]] ''[[brethil (Sindarin word)|brethil]]'' "beech"
| type=Forest
| location=Between [[Teiglin]] and [[Sirion]]
| inhabitants=[[Haladin]], [[Sindar]]
| realms=[[Haladin]], [[Doriath]]
| description=Forest of silver birches, with [[Amon Obel]] amidmost
| events=
| references=''[[The Silmarillion]]'' (throughout)
|}}
'''Brethil''' was a cluster of woods between the [[Teiglin]] and the [[Sirion]], originally part of [[Doriath]]. It was to Brethil that the [[House of Haleth]] removed after dwelling east of the river [[Gelion]]. Some [[Drúedain]] also dwelt there. The main feature of the forest was the hill of [[Amon Obel]], upon which stood [[Ephel Brandir]], the main settlement of the Haladin.
The men of Brethil also took part in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], were they were all slain.
Túrin came here after the destruction of [[Nargothrond]] and the journey to [[Dor-Lómin]], and rested here for a while, untill rumours came again about Glaurung, the father of all dragons.
At the borders of this forest Glaurung was slain by Túrin.

{{Pronounce|Brethil.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Southwest Beleriand]]
[[de:Brethil]]
[[fi:Brethilin Metsä]]

Brethil

2008-08-04T16:24:32Z

Sarumantw:

{{expansion}}

{{location
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Orc-Host is Ambushed in Brethil.jpg|300px]]
| name=Brethil
| othernames=
| etymology=[[S.]] ''[[brethil (Sindarin word)|brethil]]'' "beech"
| type=Forest
| location=Between [[Teiglin]] and [[Sirion]]
| inhabitants=[[Haladin]], [[Sindar]]
| realms=[[Haladin]], [[Doriath]]
| description=Forest of silver birches, with [[Amon Obel]] amidmost
| events=
| references=''[[The Silmarillion]]'' (throughout)
|}}
'''Brethil''' was a cluster of woods between the [[Teiglin]] and the [[Sirion]], originally part of [[Doriath]]. It was to Brethil that the [[House of Haleth]] removed after dwelling east of the river [[Gelion]]. Some [[Drúedain]] also dwelt there. The main feature of the forest was the hill of [[Amon Obel]], upon which stood [[Ephel Brandir]], the main settlement of the Haladin.
The men of Brethil also took part in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], were they were all slain.
Túrin came here after the destruction of [[Nargothrond]] and the journey to [[Dor-Lomin]], and rested here for a while, untill rumours came again about Glaurung, the father of all dragons.
At the borders of this forest Glaurung was slain by Túrin.

{{Pronounce|Brethil.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Southwest Beleriand]]
[[de:Brethil]]
[[fi:Brethilin Metsä]]