Kings of Khazad-dûm

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Khazad-dûm was the greatest dwarf kingdom of the Longbeard clan, better known as Durin's folk. Founded in the Years of the Trees by Durin the Deathless, it existed for thousands of years before its people were driven into exile by a Balrog in Third Age 1980. Thereafter the Dwarf-home was called Moria, the "Black Pit", and was inhabited by Orcs and other foul creatures. In T.A. 2989, Balin son of Fundin attempted to retake Moria, but could only hold it for five years. The greatest foe of Durin's folk, Durin's Bane, was finally killed by the wizard Gandalf in 3018. Its death, plus the defeat of Sauron the following year, might have allowed Durin VII to reclaim their ancestral home sometime in the Fourth Age.

The King of Khazad-dûm was called Uzbad Khazaddûmu in Khuzdul.

While sixty or more kings might have ruled Khazad-dûm through the ages, only nine have been recorded:

1. Durin the Deathless, the founder and first King of Khazad-dûm before the First Age.
2. Durin II, during whose time the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm traded with Men of the Vales of Anduin.
3. Durin III, who was a friend of the Elves of Ost-in-Edhil and was given the first of the Seven Rings by Celebrimbor. He later sealed the Doors of Durin when Sauron destroyed Ost-in-Edhil in S.A. 1697.
4. Durin IV, of whom Tolkien said little.
5. Durin V, of whom Tolkien said little.
6. Durin VI, the king when the Dwarves delved to deep into the earth in their search for mithril and awoke a Balrog. He was killed shortly after its release in T.A. 1980.
7. Náin I, who was king for less than a year before he too was killed by the Balrog. Durin's folk then fled their ancestral home and Khazad-dûm became known as Moria, the "Black Pit".
8. Balin, who attempted to retake Moria, but could only hold it for five years. Although a descendent of Durin, he was the only king that was not of the senior male line of descent (see Line of Durin's folk).
9. Durin VII, who was said to have returned to Moria and refounded Khazad-dûm in the Fourth Age, but his exploits were never recorded.