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{{race
{{Sources}}
|image=[[Image:Diego Iaconfcic - Black Riders.jpg|300px]]
{{race infobox
|name=Nazgûl
| name=Nazgûl
|dominions=[[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]]
| image=[[File:Nick Deligaris - Nazgûl.jpg|250px]]
|languages=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| caption="Nazgûl" by [[:Category:Images by Nick Deligaris|Nick Deligaris]]
|height=Man-high
| pronun=
|length=
| othernames=Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Nine, ''Úlairi'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
|skincolor=
| origin=[[Men]] who received the [[Nine Rings]]; corrupted by [[Sauron]]
|haircolor=
| location=[[Mordor]], [[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Minas Morgul]]
|feathers=
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
|distinctions=Without physical form
| rivalry=
|lifespan=Indefinite
| language=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|members=[[Witch-king of Angmar]], [[Khamûl]]
| people=
| members=[[Witch-king]], [[Khamûl]]
| lifespan=Indefinite
| distinctions=Without physical form
| height=Man-high
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=Black robes
| weapons=[[Morgul-knife]]
}}
}}
<center>{{quote| 'They come from [[Mordor]],' said [[Aragorn|Strider]] in a low voice. 'From Mordor, [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman]], if that means anything to you.' |''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]}}</center>
The '''[[#Etymology|Nazgûl]]''' ([[Black Speech]]: '''Ringwraiths''', sometimes written '''''Ring-wraiths'''''), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), were [[Sauron]]'s "most terrible servants" in [[Middle-earth]].


The '''Nazgûl''' ([[Black Speech]]: '''Ringwraiths''', sometimes written '''''Ring-wraiths'''''), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), are evil servants of [[Sauron]] in [[Middle-earth]]. The rarely used [[Quenya]] name for them is '''''Úlairi'''''. The book refers to the Nazgûl as "his [Sauron's] most terrible servants."
==History==
Sometime during the [[Second Age]] (after year {{SA|1600}}<ref group=note>Sauron created the One Ring around this year, and later distributed the Nine Rings (cf. {{App|B}} and {{UT|Concerning}}).</ref>) Sauron gave [[Nine Rings|nine Rings of Power]] to powerful mortal [[Men]]. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of [[Númenor]] corrupted by Sauron,<ref name=Akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> and one was a king among the [[Easterlings]].<ref name=Black/>


== History ==
For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power, becoming "''mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old''". The effect of the rings caused their lives to be prolonged, and to see things of the [[Unseen]]. But over time their bodily forms faded until they became [[wraiths]] entirely, slaves under the domination of Sauron's [[The One Ring|One Ring]].<ref name=Rings/>
The nine Nazgûl arose as Sauron's most powerful servants in the [[Second Age]] of Middle-earth. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of [[Númenor]] corrupted by Sauron. They were all powerful mortal [[Men]] to whom Sauron gave nine [[Rings of Power]]. These proved to be their undoing:
{{quote|Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing. They had, as it seemed, unending life, yet life became unendurable to them. They could walk, if they would, unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the sun, and they could see things in worlds invisible to mortal men; but too often they beheld only the phantoms and delusions of Sauron. And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell under the thralldom of the ring that they bore and of the domination of the One which was Sauron's. And they became forever invisible save to him that wore the Ruling Ring, and they entered into the realm of shadows. The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}


[[Image:John Howe - Nazgul.jpg|thumb|left|''Nazgûl'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Known as the Nazgûl, they first appeared around {{SA|2251}}<ref name=AppB1/> and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants.  
For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power. The corrupting effect of the rings caused their bodily forms to fade over time until they had become wraiths entirely. Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Untouchable to mortal men (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient [[Elves]] of the [[First Age]]), they had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, and black maces of great strength.


When Sauron was overthrown in {{SA|3441}} at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], the wraiths faded into the shadows.<ref name=AppB1>{{App|B1}}</ref>
===Third Age===
However around {{TA|1050|n}} of the [[Third Age]] Sauron returned in the form of a shadow in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], triggering also the return of his servants. It was around {{TA|1300}} when the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] gathered evil [[Men]] and founded the Witch-kingdom of [[Angmar]]. From there he led Sauron's forces against the mannish kingdom of [[Arnor]] in {{TA|1409}}. He was eventually defeated in battle in {{TA|1975}} and returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm.<ref name=AppB2/>
In {{TA|2000}}, they besieged [[Minas Ithil]] and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a ''[[palantíri|palantír]]'' for the Dark Lord.<ref name=AppB2>{{App|B2}}</ref>
[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Nazgûl'']]
Indeed, after his defeat in [[Dol Guldur]], Sauron returned to Mordor in {{TA|2942}} and declared himself openly in {{TA|2951}}. Three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at [[Dol Guldur]] to garrison that outpost.<ref name=AppB2/>
In {{TA|3017}} Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover [[the One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.
The [[Dwarves]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] spoke of a rider who had come to offer Sauron's friendship and ask about [[Hobbits]].  As a token of their friendship he asked for a "trifle", a ring, "the least of rings", that the [[Bilbo Baggins|thief]] had stolen.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref><ref group=note>The identity of the messenger is unknown. In [[fandom]] it has been proposed that he was the [[Mouth of Sauron]]. [[Michael Martinez]] [http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2012/01/26/is-the-messenger-sent-to-dain-a-black-rider-or-the-mouth-of-sauron/ considers more possible] that it was a Nazgûl .</ref>
The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river [[Bruinen]], their horses were killed.  The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on [[Fell beasts|flying creatures]], at which point they were referred to as '''Winged Nazgûl'''.
By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed.  The [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].  The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]].  However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.
== Powers and abilities ==
{{quote|The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}
Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Mortal men could not touch them (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient [[Elves]] of the [[First Age]] or by the [[Dúnedain]], such as the barrow-blade used by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] on the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]]). The Ringwraiths had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, poisonous darts and black maces of great strength.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Attack of the Wraiths'']]
Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the ''[[Black Breath]]'') was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:
Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the ''[[Black Breath]]'') was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:
{{quote|They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}
{{quote|They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}


The Nazgûl first appeared around 2251 of the [[Second Age]] and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants. They were dispersed after the first overthrow of Sauron in 3434 at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], but their survival was nonetheless assured while the [[One Ring]] persisted. They re-emerged around 1300 of the [[Third Age]], when the Lord of the Nazgûl, the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], led Sauron's forces against the human kingdom of [[Arnor]]. He was eventually defeated in battle in 1975 and returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm. In 2000, they besieged [[Minas Ithil]] and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a [[palantíri|palantír]] for the Dark Lord.
The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the [[Unseen]]), making them extremely difficult to harm. Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl.  They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the [[Seen]]): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form. Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to [[Sauron]] to receive new ones.


In 2942 Sauron returned to Mordor and declared himself openly in 2951. Two or three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at [[Dol Guldur]] to garrison that outpost.  
The Nazgûl spread terror in mortal creatures merely by their presence. Only specially trained horses or the [[fell beasts]] of [[Mordor]] could bear them.  They caused panic and despair in their enemies simply by flying overhead, and only individuals of great courage could face them in combat.


In 3017, near the beginning of the story told in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover the [[One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.
They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the [[Black Breath]].  Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness. Intense exposure could be lethal.


[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''The Nazgûl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of [[the One Ring]] and certain Elves, such as GlorfindelAnyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.
The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river [[Bruinen]], their horses were killedThe Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on [[Fell beasts|flying creatures]], at which point they were referred to as '''Winged Nazgûl'''.


By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed.  The [[Witch-king_of_Angmar|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].  The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]].  However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.
The [[Witch-king]] could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow-downs]] and weakening the gates of [[Minas Tirith]].  Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.


== Identities ==
== Identities ==


Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually in Tolkien's works. Their leader was the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. At least three of them were of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] race. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]], and was the only Nazgûl known by his name, although [[Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul]], may have been a Nazgûl. Tolkien fans also speculate that either [[Herumor]] or [[Fuinur]], or both, became Nazgûl. They were renegade Númenóreans who rose to great power among the Haradrim and it is highly likely that Sauron would have wanted them as Ringwraiths.
Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually. Their leader was the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]],<ref name=Black>{{UT|Black}}</ref> and was the only Nazgûl known by his name. Three of them were [[Númenóreans]].<ref name=Akallabeth/>
 
==Etymology==
 
''Nazgûl'' means "ringwraiths" in the [[Black Speech]] (consisting of ''[[nazg]]'' + ''[[gûl]]'').<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 31, 79, 125</ref>
 
== Other names and titles ==
 
Among their many names and titles were: the Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Fell Riders, the Nine Riders, the Black Wings, the Shadows, the Nine, the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings, and the Shriekers.
 
An [[Elvish]] name given for the Ringwraiths is '''''Úlairi'''''.<ref name=Rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}, p. 153 (§30)</ref> Linguists have remarked that it is a [[Quenya]] plural name of unknown meaning and etymology.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/eng-quen.rtf|articlename=English-Quenya Wordlist (Quettaparma Quenyanna)|dated=|website=Arda|accessed=25 June 2011}}</ref><ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]''</ref> [[Michael Martinez]], analysing the word, has tentatively suggested that:
 
{{blockquote| ''Úlairi'' is a compound formed from ''Ú'' + ''lai'' + ''ri'' with probable meaning of "un (bad or immoral)" + "shadow" + "ones". In other words, the name may mean something like "those who are in/of unnatural shadow".|<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/08/15/what-is-the-literal-translation-of-ulairi/|articlename=What is the Literal Translation of Úlairi?|dated=15 August 2014|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ middle-earth.xenite.org]|accessed=16 August 2014}}</ref>}}
 
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
<gallery>
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Ringwraiths.jpg|Four of the Nazgûl on horseback in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Ringwraith.jpg|A Ringwraith in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Ringwraiths.jpg|The Nazgûl in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]</gallery>
 
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' is their deed, not that of any accomplices. After the attack, they cast off their hoods, revealing the black armour and hideous masks they wear beneath their cloaks.
 
'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
:The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The [[Witch-king]] himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] rather than the emblem of [[Minas Morgul]].
 
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''.
 
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The name of the eight, other than Khamûl, are given as ''Er-Murazor'' (the [[Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''Dwar'', ''Ji Indur'', ''Akhorahil'' (Númenórean), ''Hoarmurath'', ''Adunaphel'' (female Númenórean), ''Ren'' and ''Uvatha''.<ref>{{ICE|Mannish}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|Angus}}</ref>


== Powers and Abilities ==
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:WiMe-Nazgûl-1-.png|thumb|200px]]
:The Nazgûl are portrayed as black figures with red eyes and purple mantle.


The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the [[Unseen]]), making them extremely difficult to harm.  Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of [[Númenórean]] manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl.  They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the [[Seen]]): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form.  Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to [[Sauron]] to receive new ones.
'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:All the Nazgûl are named - The Witch-king of [[Angmar]], The Dark Marshal, Khamûl The [[Easterlings|Easterling]], The Betrayer, The Shadow Lord, The Undying, The [[Dwimmerlaik]], The Tainted and The Knight of [[Umbar]].


The Nazgûl spread terror in mortal creatures merely by their presence.  Only specially trained horses or the [[fell beasts]] of [[Mordor]] could bear them. They caused panic and despair in their enemies simply by flying overhead, and only individuals of great courage could face them in combat.
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
:Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of [[Frodo Baggins]]), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of [[Aragorn]]). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.
 
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Nazgûl serve as the suspense in the first half of [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|the first film]]. Their dialogue is changed; the conversation with [[Gaffer Gamgee]] is omitted, and the conversation with [[Farmer Maggot]] is reduced. The Nine have an iconic scream, provided by [[Fran Walsh]]. Under their robes, they are pale white ghostly creatures.
 
:After the death of the Witch-king, the other eight are taken out by [[Eagles]] and debris from [[Mount Doom]], however, nothing is told of their individual fates.  


They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the [[Black Breath]]. Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness. Intense exposure could be lethal.
'''2001-7: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl, other than the Witch-king, are given [[Neo-Elvish|Neo-Quenya]] titles based on their numbers, and various English titles:
*Úlairë Attëa (from ''[[atta]]'' = 2); Black Predator, Keeper of [[Dol Guldur]], Second of the Nine Riders, The Easterling.  
*Úlairë Nelya (from ''[[neldë]]'' = 3); Black Hunter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Third of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Cantëa (from ''[[canta]]'' = 4); Black Assassin, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur, Fourth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Lemenya (from ''[[lempe]]'' = 5); Black Enemy, Lieutenant of Morgul, Fifth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Enquëa (from ''[[enquë]]'' = 6); Black Threat, Lieutenant of Morgul, Sixth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Ostëa [''sic'', later corrected to Úlairë Otsëa] (from ''[[otso]]'' = 7); Black Specter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Seventh of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Toldëa (from ''[[tolto]]'' = 8); Black Shadow, Messenger of Morgul, Eight of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Nertëa (from ''[[nertë]]'' = 9); Black Horseman, Messenger of Dol Guldur, Ninth of the Nine Riders.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=801|articlename=Naming the Nazgul|dated=|website=[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/index.php? Forum.Barrowdowns.com]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/selectCard/game_id/1/goal/|articlename=Lord Of The Rings (search function)|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ Trade Cards Online]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref>


The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of the [[One Ring]] and certain elves. Anyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.


The [[Witch King]] could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow Downs]] and weakening the gates of [[Minas Tirith]]. Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.
[[File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Nazgûl.jpg|200px|thumb|The Nazgûl attack [[Sarn Ford]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''.]]


== Other Titles ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
The Nazgûl were also called "the Fell Riders", "the Nine Riders", and "the Black Wings" when appropriate. Also "the Shadows", "the Nine', "the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings", and by the Orcs of the Tower of Cirth Ungol, "the Shriekers".
:A new Ringwraith is introduced in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] descent. The design is similar to that in [[Peter Jackson]]'s films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the [[Mordor]] faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
The early [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] games name the eight, other than Khamûl, ''Er-Murazor'' (the [[Witch-king of Angmar|Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''Dwar'', ''Ji Indur'', ''Akhorahil'', ''Hoarmurath'' (Númenórean), ''Adunaphel'' (female Númenórean), ''Ren'' and ''Uvatha'', but none of these names are considered [[canon]]. It is particularly unlikely, in the context of the books, that any of the Nazgûl would have been female. Nor is it clear who were of Númenórean descent: only Khamûl's origin is given with certainty, and he was an Easterling. While the Witch-king is by many thought of as a Númenórean lord, this cannot be confirmed by any statement in Tolkien's writings.
:The Nazgûl appear several times throughout the game. Hobbit characters first witness the Black Riders in the Shire during the Prologue. Early in the game one of the Nine wounds a [[Dúnedain]] Ranger Amdir with a [[Morgul-knife|Morgul blade]], who is later transformed into a Wraith himself, despite the best efforts of Free Peoples. Later, the player attempts to resist the troubles the Nine are spreading in Bree-Land. Various people along their path - from Hobbits, to Men of Bree, to people east of [[Weathertop]] - note how the local wildlife became unusually aggressive lately, though few connect it to the influence of Nazgûl.
:As stated in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', only eight horses of the Wraiths were found along the shores of [[Bruinen]]. [[Glorfindel]], [[Elrond]], and his sons all enlist you to find the missing one - and while the horse is eventually found, it is clear the the Nazgûl himself escaped. The player foils his attempts to organize the [[Trolls]] of the [[Trollshaws]] and pursues him into the [[Misty Mountains]], where the severely weakened Wraith is finally defeated, with his spirit send back to Mordor.
:During the Fellowship's stay in [[Lothlórien]], the [[Galadhrim]] Elves launch a military strike against [[Dol Guldur]], to draw the attention of the Eye from the company departing down the Shores of Anduin. At this point, three Nazgûl reside in the fortress, their names are given as "The Black Blade of Lebennin", "The Gloom of Nurn" and the strongest of them three "The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur". A large force of players confronts the Lieutenant and his Fell Beast at the chief tower of Dol Guldur.
:During their travel down the waters of the Great River, Legolas shot and killed a fell shadow in the sky, not knowing it to be a Nazgûl. The player is later able to find the corpse of the fell beast in the [[Brown Lands]] and it becomes clear that a Nazgûl is not far - only this time the player cannot receive help from Elrond or Galadriel, who helped him survive two last encounters. At night, the Wraith ambushes your friends, but the player manages to drive him away with the use of fire. A girl named Nona is wounded in this fight, but the Free Peoples managed to bring her to Lady Galadriel in time to heal the wound. The player later meets the Bane of Rhun in the [[Blackroot Vale]] and the Black Blade of Lebennin in [[Osgiliath]]. When [[Minas Tirith]] is attacked, the Witch-King breaks the gate with [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]].  


== Modern Slang ==
'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
The term ''Nazgûl'' has been used to refer to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM IBM's] cadre of lawyers, with whom it has been said that IBM can blacken the sky — particularly with reference to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCO_v._IBM SCO v. IBM lawsuit] because they supposedly never sleep, are utterly ruthless, and are completely loyal servants to their master. In addition it has been said that they are "probably really nice people. They would be nicer too if they had (say) blood or souls like normal people."
:In the Evil Campaign, the Eight Nazgûl bring Witch-King back to life after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.


This usage appears to have originated in a comment on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashdot Slashdot] news website and forum:
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
<blockquote>
:The Nazgûl appear in a flasback during the prologue of the game, in which they attack the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], the entrance of [[the Shire]]. Later in the flashback their leader, the [[Witch-king]], speaks with [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>
"Not long ago, the Black Gate of Armonk swung open. The lights went out, my skin crawled, and dogs began to howl. I asked my neighbor what it was and he said, 'Those are the nazgul. Once they were human, now they are IBM's lawyers.'"
</blockquote>


(IBM is headquartered in Armonk, New York)
'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series) ]]:'''
:In the context of the film adaptation, the Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths were buried in a dungeon in the [[High Fells of Rhudaur]] after the [[Battle of Fornost|fall]] of Angmar. The Witch-king of Angmar initially appears in Dol Guldur, where he briefly fights [[Radagast]] (who also discovers a [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]] within the fortress) with his Morgul-blade. He drops it and  Radagast takes it with him, ultimately bringing it to [[Gandalf]], who then shows to the [[White Council]] in [[Rivendell]]. Later, Gandalf, per Galadriel's advice, visits the High Fells dungeons and discovers that they had been brought back to life, as their cells were empty, broken open from the inside. Through this investigation, he is convinced that the Necromancer is indeed Sauron.


It also has been suggested that this usage can be traced back to the 1969 – 1983 IBM antitrust suit with the United States Department of Justice, but this has not been substantiated.
:During the [[Attack on Dol Guldur]] they appeared in armored, ghostly versions of their mortal forms after Galadriel rescues Gandalf From his cage in Dol Guldur. The Nine do battle with Galadriel, [[Saruman]], and Elrond. During a confrontation between Galadriel and Sauron, they are driven to Mordor, with their master eventually following suit.


Tolkien himself was known to use the term figuratively. In a 1945 letter to his son, he compared his reaction to the aircraft of World War II to how Frodo might have felt if he had discovered Hobbits "learning to ride Nazgûl-birds" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|Letters]]'', 100).
==See also==
* '''[[:Category:Images of Nazgûl|Images of Nazgûl]]'''
* the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]
* [[Khamûl]]


== See Also ==
==External links==
* [[:Category:Images of Nazgûl|Images of Nazgûl]]
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/01/29/what-is-the-history-of-the-nazgul/ What is the History of the Nazgul?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
* the [[Witch-King of Angmar]]


[[Category:Creatures]]
{{references|note}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nazgul}}
[[Category:Black Speech words]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul]]
[[fa:نزگول]]

Revision as of 08:17, 1 February 2017

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Nazgûl
Race
Nick Deligaris - Nazgûl.jpg
"Nazgûl" by Nick Deligaris
General Information
Other namesRingwraiths, the Black Riders, the Nine, Úlairi (Q)
OriginsMen who received the Nine Rings; corrupted by Sauron
LocationsMordor, Angmar, Dol Guldur, Minas Morgul
AffiliationSauron
LanguagesBlack Speech, Westron
MembersWitch-king, Khamûl
Physical Description
LifespanIndefinite
DistinctionsWithout physical form
Average heightMan-high
ClothingBlack robes
WeaponryMorgul-knife
GalleryImages of Nazgûl
" 'They come from Mordor,' said Strider in a low voice. 'From Mordor, Barliman, if that means anything to you.' "
The Fellowship of the Ring, Strider

The Nazgûl (Black Speech: Ringwraiths, sometimes written Ring-wraiths), also known as the Nine Riders or Black Riders (or simply the Nine), were Sauron's "most terrible servants" in Middle-earth.

History

Sometime during the Second Age (after year S.A. 1600[note 1]) Sauron gave nine Rings of Power to powerful mortal Men. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of Númenor corrupted by Sauron,[1] and one was a king among the Easterlings.[2]

For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power, becoming "mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old". The effect of the rings caused their lives to be prolonged, and to see things of the Unseen. But over time their bodily forms faded until they became wraiths entirely, slaves under the domination of Sauron's One Ring.[3]

Known as the Nazgûl, they first appeared around S.A. 2251[4] and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants.

When Sauron was overthrown in S.A. 3441 at the hands of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, the wraiths faded into the shadows.[4]

Third Age

However around 1050 of the Third Age Sauron returned in the form of a shadow in Greenwood the Great, triggering also the return of his servants. It was around T.A. 1300 when the Lord of the Nazgûl gathered evil Men and founded the Witch-kingdom of Angmar. From there he led Sauron's forces against the mannish kingdom of Arnor in T.A. 1409. He was eventually defeated in battle in T.A. 1975 and returned to Mordor, gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm.[5]

In T.A. 2000, they besieged Minas Ithil and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a palantír for the Dark Lord.[5]

Ted Nasmith - The Nazgûl

Indeed, after his defeat in Dol Guldur, Sauron returned to Mordor in T.A. 2942 and declared himself openly in T.A. 2951. Three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at Dol Guldur to garrison that outpost.[5]

In T.A. 3017 Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover the One Ring of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term Black Riders), they sought out Bilbo Baggins who, as Gollum had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.

The Dwarves of Erebor spoke of a rider who had come to offer Sauron's friendship and ask about Hobbits. As a token of their friendship he asked for a "trifle", a ring, "the least of rings", that the thief had stolen.[6][note 2]

The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from Rohan) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river Bruinen, their horses were killed. The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on flying creatures, at which point they were referred to as Winged Nazgûl.

By the conclusion of the War of the Ring, all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed. The Lord of the Nazgûl himself was slain by Éowyn, the niece of King Théoden (with help from Merry, known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the Black Gate. However, when Frodo Baggins put on the ring in the fires of Mount Doom, Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.

Powers and abilities

"The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death."
The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"

Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Mortal men could not touch them (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient Elves of the First Age or by the Dúnedain, such as the barrow-blade used by Merry on the Witch-king of Angmar). The Ringwraiths had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, poisonous darts and black maces of great strength.

Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths

Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the Black Breath) was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:

"They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness"
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the Unseen), making them extremely difficult to harm. Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of Númenórean manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl. They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the Seen): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form. Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to Sauron to receive new ones.

The Nazgûl spread terror in mortal creatures merely by their presence. Only specially trained horses or the fell beasts of Mordor could bear them. They caused panic and despair in their enemies simply by flying overhead, and only individuals of great courage could face them in combat.

They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the Black Breath. Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness. Intense exposure could be lethal.

The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of the One Ring and certain Elves, such as Glorfindel. Anyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.

The Witch-king could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the Barrow-downs and weakening the gates of Minas Tirith. Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.

Identities

Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually. Their leader was the Witch-king of Angmar, and his second in command was named Khamûl. Khamûl was a lord of Easterlings,[2] and was the only Nazgûl known by his name. Three of them were Númenóreans.[1]

Etymology

Nazgûl means "ringwraiths" in the Black Speech (consisting of nazg + gûl).[7]

Other names and titles

Among their many names and titles were: the Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Fell Riders, the Nine Riders, the Black Wings, the Shadows, the Nine, the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings, and the Shriekers.

An Elvish name given for the Ringwraiths is Úlairi.[3][8] Linguists have remarked that it is a Quenya plural name of unknown meaning and etymology.[9][10] Michael Martinez, analysing the word, has tentatively suggested that:

Úlairi is a compound formed from Ú + lai + ri with probable meaning of "un (bad or immoral)" + "shadow" + "ones". In other words, the name may mean something like "those who are in/of unnatural shadow".
[11]

Portrayal in adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on The Prancing Pony is their deed, not that of any accomplices. After the attack, they cast off their hoods, revealing the black armour and hideous masks they wear beneath their cloaks.

1980: The Return of the King (1980 film)

The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The Witch-king himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the Red Eye of Barad-dûr rather than the emblem of Minas Morgul.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from The Hunt for the Ring.

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The name of the eight, other than Khamûl, are given as Er-Murazor (the Witch-king, of Númenórean race), Dwar, Ji Indur, Akhorahil (Númenórean), Hoarmurath, Adunaphel (female Númenórean), Ren and Uvatha.[12][13]

1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:

The Nazgûl are portrayed as black figures with red eyes and purple mantle.

2001-: The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game:

All the Nazgûl are named - The Witch-king of Angmar, The Dark Marshal, Khamûl The Easterling, The Betrayer, The Shadow Lord, The Undying, The Dwimmerlaik, The Tainted and The Knight of Umbar.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)

Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of Frodo Baggins), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of Aragorn). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.

2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):

The Nazgûl serve as the suspense in the first half of the first film. Their dialogue is changed; the conversation with Gaffer Gamgee is omitted, and the conversation with Farmer Maggot is reduced. The Nine have an iconic scream, provided by Fran Walsh. Under their robes, they are pale white ghostly creatures.
After the death of the Witch-king, the other eight are taken out by Eagles and debris from Mount Doom, however, nothing is told of their individual fates.

2001-7: The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game:

The Nazgûl, other than the Witch-king, are given Neo-Quenya titles based on their numbers, and various English titles:
  • Úlairë Attëa (from atta = 2); Black Predator, Keeper of Dol Guldur, Second of the Nine Riders, The Easterling.
  • Úlairë Nelya (from neldë = 3); Black Hunter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Third of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Cantëa (from canta = 4); Black Assassin, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur, Fourth of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Lemenya (from lempe = 5); Black Enemy, Lieutenant of Morgul, Fifth of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Enquëa (from enquë = 6); Black Threat, Lieutenant of Morgul, Sixth of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Ostëa [sic, later corrected to Úlairë Otsëa] (from otso = 7); Black Specter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Seventh of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Toldëa (from tolto = 8); Black Shadow, Messenger of Morgul, Eight of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Nertëa (from nertë = 9); Black Horseman, Messenger of Dol Guldur, Ninth of the Nine Riders.[14][15]

2004: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth:

The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

A new Ringwraith is introduced in the expansion pack, The Rise of the Witch-king. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of Black Númenórean descent. The design is similar to that in Peter Jackson's films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the Mordor faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Nazgûl appear several times throughout the game. Hobbit characters first witness the Black Riders in the Shire during the Prologue. Early in the game one of the Nine wounds a Dúnedain Ranger Amdir with a Morgul blade, who is later transformed into a Wraith himself, despite the best efforts of Free Peoples. Later, the player attempts to resist the troubles the Nine are spreading in Bree-Land. Various people along their path - from Hobbits, to Men of Bree, to people east of Weathertop - note how the local wildlife became unusually aggressive lately, though few connect it to the influence of Nazgûl.
As stated in The Fellowship of the Ring, only eight horses of the Wraiths were found along the shores of Bruinen. Glorfindel, Elrond, and his sons all enlist you to find the missing one - and while the horse is eventually found, it is clear the the Nazgûl himself escaped. The player foils his attempts to organize the Trolls of the Trollshaws and pursues him into the Misty Mountains, where the severely weakened Wraith is finally defeated, with his spirit send back to Mordor.
During the Fellowship's stay in Lothlórien, the Galadhrim Elves launch a military strike against Dol Guldur, to draw the attention of the Eye from the company departing down the Shores of Anduin. At this point, three Nazgûl reside in the fortress, their names are given as "The Black Blade of Lebennin", "The Gloom of Nurn" and the strongest of them three "The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur". A large force of players confronts the Lieutenant and his Fell Beast at the chief tower of Dol Guldur.
During their travel down the waters of the Great River, Legolas shot and killed a fell shadow in the sky, not knowing it to be a Nazgûl. The player is later able to find the corpse of the fell beast in the Brown Lands and it becomes clear that a Nazgûl is not far - only this time the player cannot receive help from Elrond or Galadriel, who helped him survive two last encounters. At night, the Wraith ambushes your friends, but the player manages to drive him away with the use of fire. A girl named Nona is wounded in this fight, but the Free Peoples managed to bring her to Lady Galadriel in time to heal the wound. The player later meets the Bane of Rhun in the Blackroot Vale and the Black Blade of Lebennin in Osgiliath. When Minas Tirith is attacked, the Witch-King breaks the gate with Grond.

2009: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest:

In the Evil Campaign, the Eight Nazgûl bring Witch-King back to life after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

The Nazgûl appear in a flasback during the prologue of the game, in which they attack the Rangers at Sarn Ford, the entrance of the Shire. Later in the flashback their leader, the Witch-king, speaks with Agandaûr.[16]

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series) :

In the context of the film adaptation, the Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths were buried in a dungeon in the High Fells of Rhudaur after the fall of Angmar. The Witch-king of Angmar initially appears in Dol Guldur, where he briefly fights Radagast (who also discovers a Necromancer within the fortress) with his Morgul-blade. He drops it and Radagast takes it with him, ultimately bringing it to Gandalf, who then shows to the White Council in Rivendell. Later, Gandalf, per Galadriel's advice, visits the High Fells dungeons and discovers that they had been brought back to life, as their cells were empty, broken open from the inside. Through this investigation, he is convinced that the Necromancer is indeed Sauron.
During the Attack on Dol Guldur they appeared in armored, ghostly versions of their mortal forms after Galadriel rescues Gandalf From his cage in Dol Guldur. The Nine do battle with Galadriel, Saruman, and Elrond. During a confrontation between Galadriel and Sauron, they are driven to Mordor, with their master eventually following suit.

See also

External links

Notes

  1. Sauron created the One Ring around this year, and later distributed the Nine Rings (cf. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands) and J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn").
  2. The identity of the messenger is unknown. In fandom it has been proposed that he was the Mouth of Sauron. Michael Martinez considers more possible that it was a Nazgûl .

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Hunt for the Ring", "(i) Of the Journey of the Black Riders"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), pp. 31, 79, 125
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "V. The History of the Akallabêth", p. 153 (§30)
  9. Helge Fauskanger, "English-Quenya Wordlist (Quettaparma Quenyanna)", Ardalambion (accessed 25 June 2011)
  10. Ruth S. Noel, The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth
  11. Michael Martinez, "What is the Literal Translation of Úlairi?" dated 15 August 2014, middle-earth.xenite.org (accessed 16 August 2014)
  12. Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. et al. (1987), Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races (#8003)
  13. Jessica Ney (ed.; 1990), Angus McBride's Characters of Middle-earth (#8007)
  14. "Naming the Nazgul", Forum.Barrowdowns.com (accessed 31 July 2012)
  15. "Lord Of The Rings (search function)", Trade Cards Online (accessed 31 July 2012)
  16. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Prologue

fa:نزگول