Aeglos (spear)

From Tolkien Gateway
The name Aeglos refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Aeglos (disambiguation).
Aeglos
Weapon
Audrey Corman - Aiglos.jpg
"Aiglos" by Audrey Corman
Pronunciationeye-glos
Other namesAiglos
OwnerGil-galad
AppearanceSpear
Notable forhelping to destroy Sauron during the War of the Last Alliance
GalleryImages of Aeglos

Aeglos was the spear of King Gil-galad which was greatly feared by the enemy. It was carried by the High King to the War of the Last Alliance, until Gil-galad fell in combat against Sauron himself, on the slopes of Mount Doom S.A. 3431.[1][2]

Etymology and names[edit | edit source]

Aeglos is the name of a plant and means "snow-point"[3] or "icicle".[4] The element aeg means "point", from root AYAK ("sharp, pointed");[5] and the element los means "snow".[6]

In editions of The Lord of the Rings prior to 2005, the spear is spelled Aiglos. Tolkien, however, commented in a manuscript that the more correct Sindarin spelling is in fact Aeglos.[7][8]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Aiglos is a Holy weapon with magical abilities.[9]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

Aiglos, only playable by Warriors, gives a direct influence against Elves.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Gil-galad is seen wielding the spear. Warren Mahy desgined the weapon.[10]

2017: Middle-earth: Shadow of War:

Aeglos is wielded by Celebrimbor's wraith. The blade bears the inscription: "Gil-galad wields a well made spear / The Orc will fear my point of ice / When he sees me, in fear of death / He will know my name: Aeglos"[11]

2018: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Gil-galad wields the spear during the Battle of Dagorlad. After Sauron's fall, Aeglos is discovered perched atop a pillar-like pinnacle in the Plateau of Gorgoroth, where it continues to emit a bright light. It is left as a beacon of hope to those who traverse the scorched plains of Mordor.

References

Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë