Gothmog (balrog): Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
No edit summary
(9 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Fingon and Gothmog.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Fingon and Gothmog.jpg|250px]]
| name=Gothmog
| name=Gothmog
| othernames=Lord of [[Balrogs]] <br> [[High-captain of Angband]]
| pronun=
| created=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| othernames=
| years=
| titles=
| position=Lord of [[Balrogs]]<br/>[[High-captain of Angband]]
| location=[[Angband]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| language=
| birth=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death={{FA|510}}
| deathlocation=[[Fall of Gondolin]]
| age=
| age=
| destroyed={{FA|510}}, [[Fall of Gondolin]]
| notablefor=Killed [[Fëanor]], [[Fingon]] and [[Ecthelion]]<br/>Captured [[Húrin]]<br/>Victorious in [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]<br/>Led the assault on [[Gondolin]]
| realm=[[Angband]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Balrogs]] ([[Maiar]])
| gender=Male
| gender=Male
| race=[[Balrogs]] ([[Maiar]])
| height=Possibly twice man-height
| appearance=Possibly twice man-height, bearing black axe and whip
| hair=
| accomplishments=Slew two [[High King of the Noldor|High Kings of the Noldor]], victorious in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Black axe and whip
| steed=
}}
}}
{{pronounce|Quenya - Osombauko.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{pronounce|Quenya - Osombauko.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Gothmog.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Gothmog.mp3|Gilgamesh}}


'''Gothmog''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈɡoθmoɡ]}}) was the Lord of [[Balrogs]] and the [[High-captain of Angband]], one of the chief servants of the Dark Lord [[Morgoth]] with a rank equal to that of [[Sauron]]. While he was not as powerful as the Dark Lords, he surpassed them in brute strength and possibly strategy.
'''Gothmog''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈɡoθmoɡ]}}) was the Lord of [[Balrogs]] and the [[High-captain of Angband]], one of the chief servants of the Dark Lord [[Morgoth]] with a rank equal to that of [[Sauron]].
 
Gothmog's [[Quenya]] name was '''Oþombauko''' ({{IPA|[ˌoθomˈbaʊko]}}) or later [[Noldorin]] '''Osombauko''' ({{IPA|[ˌosomˈbaʊko]}}).


==History==
==History==
Gothmog was apparently one of the [[Maiar]] that followed [[Morgoth|Melkor]] to exile, and because of either his brilliant mind or because of his ability to assume an immensely powerful physical form, he was made the Lord of Balrogs.
Gothmog was apparently one of the [[Maiar]] that followed [[Morgoth|Melkor]] to exile, and because of either his brilliant mind or because of his ability to assume an immensely powerful physical form, he was made the Lord of Balrogs.


At the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] he mortally wounded [[Fëanor]], but called a retreat upon the approach of the [[Sons of Fëanor]] with a sizable force.<ref>{{S|Flight}}</ref>  He next appeared at the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], where he was also named high-captain of [[Angband]], again inferring his power and status as essentially Morgoth's right-hand Balrog ([[Sauron]], another spirit, played a more domestic than front-line role for his master).  There at the Nirnaeth he slew [[Fingon]], thus allowing him to boast of having slain two of the five [[High Kings of the Noldor]].<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>  He also captured [[Húrin|Húrin Thalion]] in this battle, despite Húrin slaughter of many of Gothmog's troll-guard.<ref>{{CH|2}}, p. 59</ref>
At the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] he mortally wounded [[Fëanor]], but called a retreat upon the approach of the [[Sons of Fëanor]] with a sizable force.<ref>{{S|Flight}}</ref>  He next appeared at the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], where he was also named high-captain of [[Angband]], again inferring his power and status as essentially Morgoth's right-hand Balrog ([[Sauron]], another spirit, played a more domestic than front-line role for his master).  There at the Nirnaeth he slew [[Fingon]], thus allowing him to boast of having slain two of the five [[High Kings of the Noldor]].<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>  He also captured [[Húrin|Húrin Thalion]] alive in this battle on Morgoth's command, despite this order allowing Húrin to slaughter of many of Gothmog's troll-guard.<ref>{{CH|2}}, p. 59</ref>


He was again deployed as Morgoth's front-line commander in the [[Fall of Gondolin]], where he was slain by [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>  According to the (albeit uncanonical) text, Gothmog piled his iron siege equipment against the [[North Gate of Gondolin]] until it broke from sheer pressure.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 176</ref>  The same text states that he also took a front-line position against [[Rog]], turning the tide in that part of the battle.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 179</ref>  More confirmed canonically, he beat down [[Tuor]] in single combat, but the elf-lord [[Ecthelion|Ecthelion of the Fountain]], who was badly wounded, rose and stood over him.  Ecthelion stood no chance against the Lord of Balrogs, and lost his sword in the brief struggle.  But then Ecthelion leaped forward, and stabbed Gothmog in the breast with the spike atop his helm.  They both fell into the [[Fountain of the King]], where Gothmog, if not already killed by the spike, drowned with his opponent.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, pp. 183-184</ref>
He was again deployed as Morgoth's front-line commander in the [[Fall of Gondolin]], where he was slain by [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>  According to the (albeit uncanonical) text, Gothmog piled his iron siege equipment against the [[North Gate of Gondolin]] until it broke from sheer pressure.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 176</ref>  The same text states that he also took a front-line position against [[Rog]], turning the tide in that part of the battle.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 179</ref>  More confirmed canonically, he beat down [[Tuor]] in single combat, but the elf-lord [[Ecthelion|Ecthelion of the Fountain]], who was badly wounded, rose and stood over him.  Ecthelion stood no chance against the Lord of Balrogs, and lost his sword in the brief struggle.  But then Ecthelion leaped forward, and stabbed Gothmog in the breast with the spike atop his helm.  They both fell into the [[Fountain of the King]], where Gothmog, if not already killed by the spike, drowned with his opponent.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, pp. 183-184</ref>
{{Pronounce|Gothmog.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Gothmog.mp3|Ardamir}}
==Etymology==
The name ''Gothmog'' is derived from the roots GOS-/GOTH- "dread", and MBAW- "compel, force, subject, oppress" (found also in the title for Morgoth "Bauglir": the tyrant or oppresor).<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, pp. 359, 372</ref>


==Other versions of the legendarium==
==Other versions of the legendarium==
Line 41: Line 59:
{{Ainur}}
{{Ainur}}
{{title}}
{{title}}
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]

Revision as of 20:15, 18 May 2015

This article is about the Balrog of the First Age. For the the Lieutenant of Morgul, see Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul).
Gothmog
Balrogs (Maiar)
Ted Nasmith - Fingon and Gothmog.jpg
Biographical Information
PositionLord of Balrogs
High-captain of Angband
LocationAngband
AffiliationMorgoth
BirthBefore the Music of the Ainur
DeathF.A. 510
Fall of Gondolin
Notable forKilled Fëanor, Fingon and Ecthelion
Captured Húrin
Victorious in Nirnaeth Arnoediad
Led the assault on Gondolin
Physical Description
RaceBalrogs (Maiar)
GenderMale
HeightPossibly twice man-height
WeaponryBlack axe and whip
GalleryImages of Gothmog

Gothmog (S, pron. [ˈɡoθmoɡ]) was the Lord of Balrogs and the High-captain of Angband, one of the chief servants of the Dark Lord Morgoth with a rank equal to that of Sauron.

History

Gothmog was apparently one of the Maiar that followed Melkor to exile, and because of either his brilliant mind or because of his ability to assume an immensely powerful physical form, he was made the Lord of Balrogs.

At the Dagor-nuin-Giliath he mortally wounded Fëanor, but called a retreat upon the approach of the Sons of Fëanor with a sizable force.[1] He next appeared at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where he was also named high-captain of Angband, again inferring his power and status as essentially Morgoth's right-hand Balrog (Sauron, another spirit, played a more domestic than front-line role for his master). There at the Nirnaeth he slew Fingon, thus allowing him to boast of having slain two of the five High Kings of the Noldor.[2] He also captured Húrin Thalion alive in this battle on Morgoth's command, despite this order allowing Húrin to slaughter of many of Gothmog's troll-guard.[3]

He was again deployed as Morgoth's front-line commander in the Fall of Gondolin, where he was slain by Ecthelion.[4] According to the (albeit uncanonical) text, Gothmog piled his iron siege equipment against the North Gate of Gondolin until it broke from sheer pressure.[5] The same text states that he also took a front-line position against Rog, turning the tide in that part of the battle.[6] More confirmed canonically, he beat down Tuor in single combat, but the elf-lord Ecthelion of the Fountain, who was badly wounded, rose and stood over him. Ecthelion stood no chance against the Lord of Balrogs, and lost his sword in the brief struggle. But then Ecthelion leaped forward, and stabbed Gothmog in the breast with the spike atop his helm. They both fell into the Fountain of the King, where Gothmog, if not already killed by the spike, drowned with his opponent.[7]

Etymology

The name Gothmog is derived from the roots GOS-/GOTH- "dread", and MBAW- "compel, force, subject, oppress" (found also in the title for Morgoth "Bauglir": the tyrant or oppresor).[8]

Other versions of the legendarium

In the character list appended to The Fall of Gondolin Gothmog was described as "a son of Morgoth and the ogress Fluithuin",[9] but the idea of the children of Valar was abandoned in later writings.

In one of Tolkien's early Middle-earth writings, Lay of the Children of Húrin, "Lungorthin, Lord of Balrogs" is mentioned.[10] It is not, however, certain if it was another name for Gothmog, or it simply meant "a Balrog lord". According to Christopher Tolkien, the latter is more probable, as the name Gothmog was mentioned in the earliest Middle-earth writings, as well as the final version of Tolkien's mythology.[11]

See also

References

Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar