Poisoned weapons were used by different races throughout the history of Middle-earth.
Orcs
Orcs frequently used poisoned blades[1] and arrows. Huor of Dor-lómin was slain by a poisoned Orc-arrow that hit him in the eye.[2] Andróg was wounded by poisoned Orc-arrow, but healed by Beleg.[3] Later Isildur was killed by several poisoned Orc-arrows that pierced his throat and his heart.[4] Celebrían, wife of Elrond, received a poisoned wound from the Orcs of the Misty Mountains and, although Elrond healed her body, she lost all joy in Middle-earth and departed over the sea.[5]
Elves
It is said that Eldar never used any poison against their enemies.[6] However, there are some examples of Elves who used poisoned weapons. Eöl the Dark Elf had a poisoned javelin, which he threw at Maeglin, but hit Aredhel, who died from that wound shortly after.[7] Elves of Nargothrond also used poisoned darts to protect their kingdom after the departure of Finrod and before the coming of Túrin.[8]
Dwarves
The chieftain of the Petty-dwarves,[9] Mîm, possessed a secret "long knife" that had "runes of venom" on it.[10]
Men
Drúedain were famous for their use of poisoned arrows[11] and darts,[12] although they used poisoned weapons only when fighting against the Orcs[13].
External links
- Poisoned weapons in Middle-earth by Ngugi
References
- ↑ LR 2.06.026Digital Tolkien Project Citation Systems, The Lord of the Rings, "The Fellowship of the Ring", "Lothlórien", Paragraph 26
- ↑ S QS.20.026Digital Tolkien Project Citation Systems, The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion", "Of the Fifth Battle", Paragraph 26
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Land of Bow and Helm"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", entry about Chieftain Arahad I, p. 1043
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin"
- ↑ S QS.16.035Digital Tolkien Project Citation Systems, The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion", "Of Maeglin", Paragraph 35
- ↑ S QS.19.039Digital Tolkien Project Citation Systems, The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion", "Of Beren and Lúthien", Paragraph 39
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: VII. The Founding of Nargothrond", p. 305
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Christina Scull, Wayne G. Hammond (eds.), The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien, "185. The Complaint of Mîm the Dwarf (1961-62)"
- ↑ LR 5.05.009Digital Tolkien Project Citation Systems, The Lord of the Rings, "The Return of the King", "The Ride of the Rohirrim", Paragraph 9
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Drúedain", "Further notes on the Drúedain"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Drúedain", "Notes", Note 9