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{{evil infobox
| name=Morgoth
| image=[[File:Jenny Dolfen - And Morgoth came.jpg|250px]]
| caption="And Morgoth came" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈmorɡoθ]}}
| othernames=Melkor ''[[Morgoth#Names|See below]]''
| titles=[[Dark Lord]]
| position=
| location=[[Utumno]] [[Angband]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=In the future
| deathlocation=[[Dagor Dagorath]]
| age=
| notablefor=Disrupting the [[Music of the Ainur|Music]] Controlling all of [[Middle-earth]] Creating [[Orcs]] and [[Dragons]] Destroying the [[Two Trees]] Stealing the [[Silmarils]] Taking over [[Beleriand]] Corrupting [[Men]] Warring with the [[Valar]]
| parentage=
| siblings=[[Manwë]]
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Ainur|Ainu]]
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=[[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]]
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|And he descended upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Valar, as a mountain that wades in the sea and has its head above the clouds and is clad in ice and crowned with smoke and fire; and the light of the eyes of Melkor was like a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Ainulindalë]]"}}
'''Morgoth''', also known as '''[[Morgoth#Names|Melkor]]''', was the greatest of the [[Ainur]]. He fell from glory when he disrupted the [[Music of the Ainur]] and defied the will of [[Ilúvatar]]. Morgoth corrupted many of the Ainur to his service, fought the [[Valar]], and marred [[Arda]]. His theft of the [[Silmarils]] and [[Wars of Beleriand|wars]] against [[Elves]] and [[Men]] encompassed much of the history of the [[First Age]]. Eventually, Morgoth was bound in chains by the Valar and thrown into the [[Void]], leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his former lieutenant [[Sauron]], to trouble the world.

One day, according to a prophecy, Morgoth will rise again in great wrath, but he will be destroyed in the [[Final Battle|Dagor Dagorath]].

==History==
The most powerful of the [[Ainur]] that [[Ilúvatar]] created was a spirit known as Melkor. Because he wandered through the [[Void]] in an attempt to find and use the [[Flame Imperishable]], the source of [[Ilúvatar]]'s creative activity, Melkor developed ideas unlike those of the other Ainur. His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, for he wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void and was dissatisfied by the fact that Ilúvatar had not done so. However, Melkor could not find the Flame, for it was not in the Void, but with Ilúvatar.

===The Music of the Ainur===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Melkor Weaves Opposing Music.jpg|thumb|left|''Melkor weaves opposing Music'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When the Ainur [[Music of the Ainur|made music]], Melkor wove his strange thoughts into his song. His song clashed against the Theme of Ilúvatar, disturbing the Ainur around him and causing some of them to attune their music to his. For a while the Theme of Ilúvatar and the discords of Melkor warred against one another. But [[Eru]] smiled, and sent forth a new theme. Most of the Ainur joined with it, but Melkor rebelliously opposed it even more violently. At last, many of the Ainur stopped singing in dismay, and Melkor's discords gained dominance. Eru sent out a third Theme against Melkor, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable. But though Melkor could not defeat it, still he opposed it. At last, Eru halted the music completely with a single chord.

Eru then publicly rebuked Melkor, saying that all music finds its source in himself, and thus Melkor could not create his own song or truly alter the Themes of Ilúvatar. Thus, though Melkor opposed Eru to his last breath, he only furthered the cause of Ilúvatar in new and wondrous ways. Melkor was shamed and angered by this judgement, but hid his feelings. When Eru showed the Ainur the product of their music, [[Eä]], Melkor was one of those who begged to enter [[Arda]], pretending to be willing to cultivate it and guide it for Ilúvatar's glory. He actually wished to dominate Arda and its creatures, especially the [[Children of Ilúvatar]].

Nonetheless, he was allowed to enter Eä and come to Arda with the other [[Valar]]. Once there, Melkor declared to his colleagues that he was the master of Arda henceforth. [[Manwë]], his brother, did not understand his evil, but fearing that Melkor might try and disrupt their labours in Arda, called forth many more Ainur to protect them. Melkor departed to the remote regions of Eä, leaving the world in peace for a while.

===Wars of the Valar===
[[File:Jerrel Salvatierra - The Enemy.jpg|thumb|''The Enemy'' by [[:Category:Images by Jerrel Salvatierra|Salvatierra]]]]
But Melkor took form more majestic than any of the Valar, great and terrible and burning with his malice, and he came to Arda to destroy the Valar's work in preparing it. There was war, the [[First War with Melkor]], in which mountains were felled and brutality inflicted on the Valar. Though he disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit named [[Tulkas]] came to Arda from other regions of Eä to combat him. After Tulkas drove Melkor away, the Valar managed to complete Arda, and the world was established.

The Valar dwelt in a land called [[Almaren]], and raised up [[two lamps]] to light the young earth: [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]]. Melkor, meanwhile, had attracted the attention--and in a few cases, admiration--of the [[Maiar]], the lesser spirits of [[Arda]]. Melkor had many spies among them, and from them learned all that the Valar did, and bided his time. As the Valar sat down to a feast at the completion of their labours, Melkor gathered together those loyal to him, and looking down on the beautiful Arda, was filled with hatred. Tulkas was wedded to [[Nessa]] at that feast, and she danced before the Valar. Tulkas fell asleep, and that is when Melkor struck.

Melkor with his host passed over the [[Walls of Night]] and returned to Arda once more. Without the watchfulness of Tulkas, the Valar were unaware of his coming, and he began to delve in the depths of the earth, making a fortress called [[Utumno]] northwards beneath the mountains in the dimness of Illuin. The [[Spring of Arda]] became blighted as the cold evil flowed out of the fortress. Death and illness took the green things of Arda, and animals fought and killed one another, while flies brooded in massive numbers. The Valar knew then that Melkor was at work, and sought his hiding place.

But Melkor struck the first blow. He came to them in ire and war, destroying [[Almaren]] and the Two Lamps, and caused the world to be filled with flowing fire and surging water. The symmetry of Arda was broken. And in the darkness and confusion Melkor escaped, returning to Utumno. All combined, the Valar were a match for Melkor, but they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin and could not pursue him, nor did they know exactly where he had fled to. The Spring of Arda had ended in turmoil.

===Dominance of Middle-earth===
With Almaren destroyed, the Valar departed to a new continent across the [[Belegaer|sea]], [[Aman]], and built [[Valinor]]. They also established new sources of light, the [[Two Trees]], to light the world. Melkor, meanwhile, wandered across the face of [[Middle-earth]], in various guises, but armed with cold and fire. Some of the Valar were unwilling to forsake Middle-earth, however; [[Ulmo]] and [[Yavanna]], particularly. Also [[Oromë]] would ride in Middle-earth, killing the terrors of Melkor, who began to fear that the Valar might rise up against him in wrath.

Melkor brooded in the north and built his strength, gathering his demons about him, breeding great monsters, attended by his Maiar-servants later known as [[Balrogs]]. He also created another fortress and armory called [[Angband]], in the north-west of Middle Earth, to resist any Valarin attacks. He placed his greatest servant, [[Sauron]], in control of that stronghold. The Valar acted against Melkor in force, but they were routed, his might too great for them to overcome.

After his victory, Melkor began to delve more great fortresses and pits where he massed his hordes and wicked armies, confident in his domination of the world. Melkor, by wandering about in the dominion he now wrested, also learned of the awakening of the first of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], the [[Elves]]. He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them. Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into [[Orcs]] by torture and breeding.

===Time in Valinor===
[[File:Jacek Kopalski - The Captivity of Morgoth.jpg|thumb|left|''The Captivity of Morgoth'' by [[:Category:Images by Jacek Kopalski|Jacek Kopalski]]]]

The Valar were not long, however, in discovering the Elves. Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Melkor, Manwë decided that Ilúvatar wished them to recover Middle-earth at all costs. Bitter from their previous defeat, they arrived in Middle-earth with their full might. They began the [[Battle of the Powers]], and eventually destroyed Utumno after a great battle during which the face of Middle-earth was transformed, though their losses were devastating in the process. Melkor was [[Captivity of Melkor|captured]] and chained with the chain [[Angainor]], but Sauron escaped. Melkor was imprisoned in the halls of [[Mandos]], and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge. Still recovering from the grievous siege, the Valar could not pursue and destroy all of Melkor's forces that scattered from the icy fortress, and many foul creatures and minions escaped, left to brood amongst themselves until their master's return.

At the end of his time, Melkor was presented to his brother Manwë. Melkor, swallowing his pride with thoughts of vengeance, prostrated himself before the throne of Manwë, begging for pardon. Manwë granted him thus, though [[Ulmo]] and [[Tulkas]] were displeased with this judgement. Yet the Valar would not let him leave their sight, and he stayed in [[Valmar]]. Before long, he began to exert his corrupting influence on the Elves, especially the [[Noldor]]. For the [[Vanyar]] did not trust him, and the [[Teleri]] he thought too weak for his designs, but the Noldor were curious, and eager to learn what he could teach them.

===Revenge against the Valar===
[[File:Lída Holubová - Laurelin and Telperion.jpg|thumb|''Laurelin and Telperion'' by [[:Category:Images by Lída Holubová|Lída Holubová]]]]
{{Main|Darkening of Valinor}}
In time Melkor found his greatest adversary and yet greatest tool in the form of [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of [[Finwë]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. Fëanor was the creator of the [[Silmarils]], which Melkor lusted after. As Melkor subtly spread lies and half-truths about the Valar and the Coming of [[Men]] in the form of rumours, Fëanor was greatly influenced, though he hated Melkor himself and had no idea that he was their source. His new ideas of wide lands and realms to rule touched the heart of Fëanor, and the hearts of many other Noldor. They began to murmur against the Valar, and the peace of Valinor was disturbed. Fëanor soon stirred up trouble, and while on trial before the Valar it was revealed that Melkor was at the bottom of the murmurings and troubles. Tulkas left straight-away to deal with him, but found Melkor gone. He had escaped.

Melkor was not seen for a while, but then appeared at [[Formenos]] to Fëanor, tempting him with words of friendship, and an offer of vengeance against the Valar whom Fëanor perceived had wronged him. Fëanor wavered, but Melkor pressed his advantage too much. He touched a chord about the Silmarils, and Fëanor, seeing his designs and lust for the jewels, cursed and rejected him. Melkor departed in anger, and went south past the mountain of [[Hyarmentir]], to the shadowed valley of [[Avathar]] where there dwelt [[Ungoliant]], a mysterious dark spirit in spider-form once his servant, but who had disowned him after his failure. After some time he convinced her to dismiss her fears with the offer of rich rewards, and she wove a cloak of shadow about them both.

Then Melkor and Ungoliant attacked while there was festival in [[Valmar]]. Melkor pierced the [[Two Trees]] with his lance, and Ungoliant drank their sap. Then she drank dry the [[Wells of Varda]]<ref>{{S|8}}</ref>, and the two fled north to [[Formenos]], leaving the land once more in darkness and confusion. At Formenos Melkor slew [[Finwë]] and ravished the treasury of Fëanor, including the [[Silmarils]]. Then he passed over the icy [[Helcaraxë]], entering once more into [[Middle-earth]]. He had struck swiftly and surely. But Fëanor cursed him, naming him [[Morgoth]], and by that name he was known ever after to the Eldar.<ref name=Return>{{S|9}}</ref>

===Return to Beleriand===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Ungoliant Demands the Silmarils.jpg|thumb|right|''Ungoliant Demands the Silmarils'' by [[Ted Nasmith]] ]]

Once in safety, Ungoliant turned on her partner, demanding the jewels of Fëanor. The spider had grown greatly in size and strength from feasting upon the Trees, and Morgoth, now very weak from his efforts, feared her suddenly. Lacking the strength to fight the monstrous spider in that moment, he reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful gems, and Ungoliant devoured them. But Morgoth refused to give up the Silmarils, and she encased him in webs, torturing him and nearly devouring him. A loud cry of desperation from Morgoth penetrated deep into the walls of Angband and was heeded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] and the [[balrogs]], and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Ungoliant away with their whips. So Morgoth returned to Angband, where he wrought an [[Iron Crown]] for the three jewels.<ref name=Return></ref>

===Wars of Beleriand===
Morgoth rebuilt the fortress there, and learned of the Elves who had remained in Middle-earth. [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] and the [[Sindar]] dwelt in the woodland kingdom of [[Doriath]], while [[Círdan]] and the [[Teleri]] lived at the [[Falas]] and [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]] and the [[Nandor]] camped in [[Ossiriand]]. Morgoth made war on Thingol, surrounding Doriath and cutting Thingol off from Círdan. But Thingol was able to contact Denethor for help, and the Nandor joined with the Sindar to fight the [[Orcs]] between [[Aros]] and [[Gelion]]. Caught between the two armies, the Orcs of Morgoth were utterly defeated in the [[First Battle]]. Fleeing north they were intercepted and further demolished by the [[Naugrim]]. The Orcs attacking Círdan were more successful – pushing the Teleri to the very edge of the sea.

====Dagor-nuin-Giliath====
{{Main|Dagor-nuin-Giliath}}
Morgoth was confronted by further challenges when Fëanor landed in Middle-earth. They set up camp at [[Mithrim]], but Morgoth [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath|attacked them]] quickly, hoping to dislodge them before they settled in too much and became a threat. But the Elves were just come out of [[Aman]], and they had the light of that country in their eyes. The Orcs dreaded them, and were swept before them like chaff before wind. Fëanor pursued them even nigh to the [[Thangorodrim]] and the gates of [[Angband]], but Morgoth sent out Gothmog and his balrogs. Fëanor was killed, but the balrogs were driven back. The Falas were freed, and though Morgoth had practically lost [[Beleriand]] outside of the [[Ered Engrin]], he was comforted in the fact that Fëanor was dead.

====Dagor Aglareb====
Yet [[Fingolfin]] came next, with his sons and the sons of [[Finarfin]]. They marched even to the gates of Angband, and yet could not go farther. As the Elves began to build (or rebuild) their kingdoms in Middle-earth, Morgoth waited sixty years before he struck again. It was the [[Dagor Aglareb]], the "Glorious Battle", called such because it was a great victory for the Elves. Fingolfin and [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, combined their strength and repelled Morgoth. They then set up the [[Siege of Angband]], which was designed to keep Morgoth holed up in his fortress.

====Dagor Bragollach and Fingolfin====
[[Image:John Howe - Fingolfin's Challenge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Fingolfin's Challenge'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{blockquote|Thus [[Fingolfin|he]] came alone to Angband’s gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat. And Morgoth came.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin]]"}}
Morgoth appeared all but defeated to his foes; he remained dormant and hidden until {{FA|455}}. He surged forth suddenly in great wrath, his armies taking the slackened besiegers by surprise. In the winter he cast great rivers of flame over the formerly green [[Ard-galen]] (causing the battle to be known as the [[Dagor Bragollach]]), burning many Elven horsemen alive. His forces beset strongholds on all sides, led by Glaurung and Gothmog, and several Noldor-lords fell in the succeeding combat. Much of Beleriand was overrun and [[Dorthonion]] was taken, as were northern [[Sirion]] and [[Maglor's Gap]].

In a single stroke Morgoth had broken the Siege of Angband, but the victory was not as complete as he would have preferred. [[Ered Wethrin]], [[Himring]] and [[Hithlum]] had held against him, though just barely. King [[Fingolfin]] was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Angband in anger. With fire in his eyes, Morgoth's Orcs mistook him for a vengeful spirit and fled from him. There he challenged Morgoth to [[Fall of Fingolfin|single combat]]. Despite Morgoth's power, he held a fear of death greater than any other Valar, and was hesitant even against Fingolfin. When Fingolfin declared Morgoth craven, he scoffed the Elf-Lord and did not dare refuse his challenge. He strode out, his footsteps like thunder on the earth. He was clad in black armour with a spiked crown and shield, with [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]], the Hammer of the Underworld, and he and Fingolfin fought in a ferocious duel. Flames gashed from the earth with each strike of his hammer, but Fingolfin was faster and avoided each powerful, but slow, swing. The Elf-lord gave Morgoth seven wounds, and though Morgoth shouted in anguish, he was too powerful to be slain. Fingolfin grew weary and was struck down by Morgoth's shield. Thrice he staggered to his feet in vain, his crown and shield broken, and thrice Morgoth cast him down, before Fingolfin collapsed over one of the pits left by Grond.

As Morgoth placed his foot on Fingolfin's neck to break it, Fingolfin in one last strike ran his blade through the Dark Lord's foot, and Morgoth's blood filled pools made by his hammer. The enraged Morgoth crushed Fingolfin, though he was left with a permanent limp from the injury. Morgoth wished to rend the corpse and feed it to his wolves, but could not desecrate the fallen King, for [[Thorondor]] flew in, scratching Morgoth's face and escaping with Fingolfin's body.<ref name="Ruin">{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>

====The Quest for the Silmaril====
For some time after that the world lay in watchful discomfort. The southern part of [[Beleriand]] was, for the most part, free from Morgoth's direct wrath. There arose two in [[Doriath]], [[Beren]] of [[House of Bëor|Bëor's House]] and [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]], Thingol's daughter. These two lovers embarked on the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], in the process removing [[Sauron]] from [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] and entering Angband in disguise. Morgoth plotted some evil against Lúthien when she stood exposed in his presence, but allowed her to dance for him and she lured him to sleep with her song. One of the Silmarils was stolen from his crown, and Morgoth bore only two until the [[War of Wrath]].

====Nirnaeth Arnoediad====
Some time after, in {{FA|471}}, [[Maedhros]] made a great [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]] with the [[Naugrim]], [[Edain]], and other [[Noldor]]. They marched to challenge Morgoth, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces. But Morgoth through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the [[Easterlings]] in a huge battle in which he prevailed, and many princes and rulers of Men, Elves, and Dwarves fell. Thus the battle was named ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', "Battle of Unnumbered Tears". Morgoth's victory was almost complete, as he razed [[Hithlum]], the [[Falas]], the [[March of Maedhros]], as well as [[Nargothrond]] in {{FA|495|n}}. But [[Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], escaped by the valiant actions of the [[House of Hador]], the last of the [[Edain]] in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]].

===The Curse of Morgoth===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth Punishes Húrin.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Morgoth Punishes Húrin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Morgoth took [[Húrin]], who had been captured during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Morgoth cursed. Upon the death of [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], Húrin's children, Morgoth released Húrin to further his cause.

===The Fall of Gondolin===
Some time later, by the aid of [[Maeglin]], a traitor-elf, Morgoth discovered and laid siege to [[Gondolin]]. [[Turgon]] King, the last male heir of Fingolfin's house, was killed during the siege. Morgoth's victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] his captain and marshall of his armies. Also, a small remnant including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]] escaped the destruction of the city, bearing their son [[Eärendil]].

===The War of Wrath===
This was to be Morgoth's doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to [[Valinor]] seeking the pardon of the [[Valar]]. This he earned, and the Valar advanced across [[Belegaer]] with a mighty host. Morgoth loosed all his demons and defenses against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the [[Eagles]], and [[Ancalagon]] was brought down by Eärendil himself from his ship, [[Vingilot]]. Morgoth was seized in his fortress Angband, his feet "hewn from under him, and he was hurled upon his face", the Silmarils were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more with the chain called Angainor.<ref>{{S|24}}</ref> This time, however, he was ejected from Arda and cast into the [[Void]]. But though he had been vanquished, Arda was forever marred, and there was one still at large to carry on his evil legacy: his former great servant, the fallen Maia [[Sauron]], who became the second Dark Lord.

==The Future==
{{Main|Dagor Dagorath}}
Morgoth remains in the Void, unable to return to Arda as long as the Valar maintain their power over it. Nevertheless, according to the [[Second Prophecy of Mandos]], Morgoth will come back and attack Arda. He will fight a great battle, called the [[Final Battle|Dagor Dagorath]], against the Valar and their allies, but will ultimately be slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]], the Man he cursed. By finally defeating Morgoth, Túrin will avenge not only himself, but all members of the race of Men.<ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 333</ref>

==Legacy==
Morgoth's will was suffused into the matter of Arda, so in a sense he is never truly gone. Arda was [[Arda Marred|marred]] by him so deeply that only Eru could fully repair the damage. Those who wished to follow in Morgoth's footsteps, such as Sauron, found that by using his residual influence, they could easily corrupt races they wished to dominate.

==Characteristics==
It was said of Morgoth that "his might was greatest of all things in this world." He was the most powerful being in existence, second only to Ilúvatar, and perhaps more powerful than every Vala put together. Fitting to his name, Morgoth eventually took a form great and terrible, and soon was unable to leave it. He received many scars and wounds over the ages: his hands were burned forever when he touched the Silmarils, Fingolfin wounded him seven times during their battle and inflicted a wound to the foot that caused him ever after to limp, and Thorondor scarred Morgoth's face.

When Morgoth first took visible form he was said to be of greater power and majesty than any other Vala, as a colossal mountain wading in the sea with its head above the clouds, his appearance both of splendour and terror. As a physical being Morgoth was described as highly imposing, and was reckoned to a tower compared to the warrior Fingolfin, and the shadow of the shield he wielded was like a stormcloud. Ever since his downfall, Morgoth held a desire for power; above all else, however, Morgoth held deep hatred of the mere existence of intelligent or beautiful life. Unlike his servant Sauron, Morgoth's ultimate goal was solely the destruction, not control, of all that he despised. He was nonetheless persuasive, and could sway and corrupt many forms of life to become his willing servants.<ref name="Ruin"></ref><ref>{{MR|Myths}}</ref>

Morgoth wielded [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]] in battle, a weapon he presumably forged himself in [[Angband]] (unless Sauron or [[Gothmog]] had held it safe after the [[Battle of the Powers]]), and was clad in black armor, with an iron crown. Despite his strength initially, he continually spread his residual influence, corruption, and might thin across Arda after his treachery and suffered several defeats, and his power slowly, though significantly, weakened. He alone of the Valar had a deep fear of death, and even against inferior foes he held a hesitance to ever risk his own life.<ref name="Ruin"/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Sindarin - Morgoth.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
The [[Sindarin]] name ''Morgoth'' ("the Black Foe"<ref name=VT49a>{{VT|49a}}, pp. 24-5</ref> or "Dark Tyrant"<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 85</ref>) was given him by [[Fëanor]].

Tolkien experimented (but apparently never reached a decision) with different [[Quenya]] translations of ''Morgoth'': ''Moringotto'', ''Moriñgotho'', or ''Morikotto''.<ref name=VT49a/>

==Other names==
===Melkor===
'''''Melkor''''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈmelkor]}}) means "mighty arising"<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, p. 115</ref> or "'Mighty-rising', [[Wikipedia:Viz.|sc.]] 'uprising of power'"<ref name=P4k>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 350</ref>. The name is generally used to refer to this [[Valar|Vala]] prior to his theft of the [[Silmarils]]; for after the theft [[Fëanor]] named him ''Morgoth''.

''Melkor'' is a compound of [[Common Eldarin]] ''mbelek-'' (''melek'', "great, mighty, powerful"; root [[BEL|BEL, MBEL]]) + ''[[óre]]''.<ref name=PE17/>

The older form of ''Melkor'' is said to be ''Melkórë''.<ref name=P4k/>

In earlier versions of the [[legendarium]], the form of the name was ''Melko''.<ref>{{HM|HM}}</ref> At one instance in a late glossary (c. 1959), ''Melko'', meaning "simply 'the Mighty One'", is also said to be an alternative form of ''Melkor''.<ref name=P4k/>

===Other names and titles===
*'''''Bauglir''''', ([[S.]] "the Constrainer") given after his return to [[Angband]] at the beginning of the [[First Age]].<ref name=Index>{{S|Index}}</ref> It was often combined with the name ''Morgoth'' to become the full title ''Morgoth Bauglir''.
* '''''Belegûr''''' ("he who arises in might") or '''''Belegurth''''' ("Great Death").<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, p. 358 (note 21)</ref><ref name=Index></ref>
* '''[[Black Hand]]''', called thus by [[Beleg]].<ref>{{S|21}}.</ref>
* '''Black King'''<ref>{{CH|1}}, p. 42</ref>
* '''Dark King''', given by [[Edain]].<ref name=Men>{{S|17}}</ref>
* '''[[Dark Lord]]'''<ref name=Men></ref>
* '''Dark Power of the North'''<ref>{{MR|P2}}</ref>
* '''[[Elder King]]''', title of Manwë, claimed by Morgoth when speaking to [[Húrin]].<ref>{{CH|3}}, p. 64</ref>
* '''Great Enemy''', used once by Aragorn.<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref>
* '''King of the World''', given by himself after his return to Middle-earth.<ref name=Return>{{S|9}}</ref>
* '''Lord of All''' and '''Giver of Freedom''', used by [[Sauron]] when encouraged [[Ar-Pharazôn]] to worship Melkor.<ref name=Akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>
* '''Lord of the Dark''', given by Edain.<ref name=Men></ref>
* '''Lord of the Darkness''', used by [[Sauron]] when encouraged [[Ar-Pharazôn]] to worship Melkor.<ref name=Akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>
* '''Master of Lies''', given him by [[Amlach]].<ref name=Men></ref>
* '''Master of the fates of Arda''', used by him when speaking to [[Húrin]].<ref>{{CH|3}}, p. 65</ref>

* ''Melko, Belcha, Melegor, Meleko'', earlier forms of his Elvish names.{{fact}}

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| MEL | | MAN |~| VAR | |MEL='''MELKOR'''|MAN=[[Manwë]]|VAR=[[Varda]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Minions and allies==
* [[Sauron]] – First lieutenant. Forsook Morgoth after his defeat to become the second [[Dark Lord]]
* [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Lord of Balrogs]] – killed by [[Ecthelion]] during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]
* [[Glaurung]] – [[Father of Dragons]], killed by [[Túrin]]
* [[Draugluin]] - First of the Werewolves of Angband
* [[Carcharoth]] - Greatest of the Werewolves of Angband
* [[Thuringwethil]] - Vampire Herald of Sauron
* [[Ancalagon]] – Greatest of the [[Winged Dragons]], slain by [[Eärendil]]
* [[Ungoliant]] - Spirit of darkness and shadow in the shape of a giant spider, devourer of the sap of the [[Two Trees]], and mother of many of the great [[spider|spiders]]. Betrayed Morgoth after being denied her reward
* [[Ulfang]] - Chieftain of [[Easterlings (First Age)|Easterlings]]
* [[Uldor]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth
* [[Ulwarth]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth
* [[Ulfast]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth
* [[Brodda]] - Easterling Lord of [[Hithlum]]
* [[Lorgan]] - Chief of the Easterlings in Hitlum
* [[Maeglin]] - Captured, revealed the location of [[Gondolin]] in exchange for [[Idril]]
;Characters from older concepts
* [[Othrod]] – [[Orcs|Orc]]-lord during the Fall of Gondolin, killed by [[Tuor]]
* [[Lungorthin]] - A Lord of Balrogs
* [[Fankil]] - Evil spirit, escaped from Utumno after its fall, leader of dark armies in the East (Palisor)
* [[Langon]] - Messenger, sent by Melkor to negotiate with the Valar when they besieged [[Utumno]].
* [[Balcmeg]] - Orc-general during the Fall of Gondolin, killed by Tuor
* [[Lug]] - Orc-warrior during the Fall of Gondolin, slain by Tuor
* [[Orcobal]] - Orc champion during the Fall of Gondolin, killed by [[Ecthelion]]
* [[Tevildo]] - Cat possessed by an evil spirit, companion to Morgoth
* [[Gorgol]] - Captain of [[Sauron]]'s Orcs, slew [[Barahir]]
* [[Oikeroi]] - Tevildo's guard
* [[Miaulë]] - Cook
* [[Umuiyan]] - Tevildo's Doorkeeper
* [[Boldog]] - Chieftain of the Orcs, sent to attack [[Doriath]]

{{references}}
{{Ainur}}
[[Category:Ainur]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Valar]]

[[de:Morgoth]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/morgoth]]
[[fi:Morgoth]]

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Editing Morgoth

@@ Line 142: / Line 142: @@
 ==Other names==
 ===Melkor===
-'''''Melkor''''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈmelkor]}}) means "mighty arising",<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, p. 115</ref> 'uprising of power'",<ref name=P4k>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 350</ref> or "He who arises in Might".<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> The name is generally used to refer to this [[Valar|Vala]] prior to his theft of the [[Silmarils]]; for after the theft [[Fëanor]] named him ''Morgoth''.
+'''''Melkor''''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈmelkor]}}) means "mighty arising"<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, p. 115</ref> or "'Mighty-rising', [[Wikipedia:Viz.|sc.]] 'uprising of power'"<ref name=P4k>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 350</ref>. The name is generally used to refer to this [[Valar|Vala]] prior to his theft of the [[Silmarils]]; for after the theft [[Fëanor]] named him ''Morgoth''.
 ''Melkor'' is a compound of [[Common Eldarin]] ''mbelek-'' (''melek'', "great, mighty, powerful"; root [[BEL|BEL, MBEL]]) + ''[[óre]]''.<ref name=PE17/>