Glaurung

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Glaurung
Dragons
Biographical Information
Other names	"The Deceiver," "The Great Worm," "The Father of Dragons", Undolaurë, Laurundo
Death	{{{death}}} (aged Unknown)
Physical Description
Race	Dragons
Gender	Male
Gallery	Images of Glaurung

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Known as the Deceiver and Great Worm, Glaurung (S, pron. [ˈɡlaʊruŋ]) was a land-bound fire-breathing 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 Elven stronghold of Nargothrond and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, Túrin Turambar. He caused 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

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 Dagor Bragollach, when he came forth to attack.

But Morgoth was not pleased. Glaurung revealed himself too early; he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers led by Fingon son of Fingolfin.

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city.

Other versions of the Legendarium

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

• Images of Glaurung