Ancalagon: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
(Improved etymology)
Line 19: Line 19:
| colour=Black
| colour=Black
}}
}}
'''Ancalagon the Black''' was the greatest of [[Morgoth]]'s [[Dragons]], and the mightiest winged [[Urulókë|fire-dragon]] ever existed.<ref>{{HM|S}}</ref><ref>{{HM|SM}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Index}}, ''Ancalagon the Black''</ref>
'''Ancalagon the Black''' was the greatest of [[Morgoth]]'s [[Dragons]], and the mightiest winged [[Urulókë|fire-dragon]] ever existed.


==History==
==History==
Line 28: Line 28:
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Ancalagon.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Ancalagon.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Ancalagon'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, from ''[[anc]]''<ref name="EtymAnc">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "[[ÁNAK]]", "NAK"</ref> and ''[[alag]]''<ref name="EtymAlag">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "A[[LAK]]"</ref> plus the name ending ''[[-on]]''. Its meaning is "Rushing Jaws" or "Biting-storm".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}</ref><ref name="EtymAnc"/>
''Ancalagon'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It is not properly glossed, but it contains ''[[anc]]'' ("jaws") + [[root]] ''[[LAK|alak-]]'' ("rushing").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''[[alqua]]'', ''[[anc]]''</ref>
 
In the [[Noldorin]] phase of the [[Elvish]] language it is glossed as "Biting-storm", from ''[[anc]]'' ("jaw, row of teeth") + ''alagos'' ("storm of wind").<ref name="EtymAlag">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "Á[[LAK]]-", "[[ÁNAK]]-", "[[NAK]]-"</ref>
 
In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Ancalagon is referred as ''Anddraca'' ("Enemy-dragon").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>


In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Ancalagon is referred as ''Anddraca'' ("Enemy-dragon").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}</ref>
==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
According to an early prophecy attributed to a [[Wise-woman]] called [[Andreth]], in an imprecise context Túrin shall return from the Dead before he left the [[Circles of the World]] forever, challenging the Great Dragon of Morgoth, Ancalagon the Black, and dealing him the death-stroke. This prophecy could have designated the [[War of Wrath]] in origin, but it actually foresees the [[Last Battle]]. This version bears several similarities to the celtic "Sybil's Prophecy", according to [[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún]].<ref>{{PM|Ros}}, p. 374</ref><ref>{{HM|WJ}}</ref><ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún]]''</ref>
According to an early prophecy attributed to a [[Wise-woman]] called [[Andreth]], in an imprecise context Túrin shall return from the Dead before he left the [[Circles of the World]] forever, challenging the Great Dragon of Morgoth, Ancalagon the Black, and dealing him the death-stroke. This prophecy could have designated the [[War of Wrath]] in origin, but it actually foresees the [[Last Battle]]. This version bears several similarities to the celtic "Sybil's Prophecy", according to [[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún]].<ref>{{PM|Ros}}, p. 374</ref><ref>{{HM|WJ}}</ref><ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún]]''</ref>

Revision as of 18:01, 26 March 2021

"I oughtn't to interrupt you, I know. [...] You are very busy, I'm sure." — Mr. Parish
 LorenzoCB is currently busy with major revisions to this article. Before editing, discuss your intentions on this article's talk page.
Ancalagon
Dragon
Daniel Pilla - Ancalagon vs Earendil.jpg
"Ancalagon vs Earendil" by Daniel Pilla
Biographical Information
TitlesThe Black
AffiliationMorgoth
Appearedc. F.A. 545
The War Of Wrath
Deathc. F.A. 587
Thangorodrim
Slain byEärendil
Physical Description
TypeUrulókë
LegsYes
WingedYes
ColourBlack
GalleryImages of Ancalagon

Ancalagon the Black was the greatest of Morgoth's Dragons, and the mightiest winged fire-dragon ever existed.

History

During the War of Wrath, the Valar waged their final war on Morgoth. Their victory was at hand, with most of the Dark Lord's Balrogs and other troops destroyed. But then, Morgoth unleashed the Winged Dragons, with Ancalagon at their van. Ancalagon drove back the forces of the Host of the Valar, but was stopped by Eärendil who sailed through the skies in the ship Vingilot with the Great Eagles. As soon as sun has risen, Ancalagon was cast down and fell atop Thangorodrim, breaking its mighty towers. With him fell most other dragons.[1]

Even by the late Third Age Ancalagon was considered the mightiest winged dragon, with Gandalf noting that not even his fire could melt the One Ring[2][3] as Ancalagon's breath was probably the hottest thing of the whole world.[4]

Etymology

Ancalagon is a Sindarin name. It is not properly glossed, but it contains anc ("jaws") + root alak- ("rushing").[5]

In the Noldorin phase of the Elvish language it is glossed as "Biting-storm", from anc ("jaw, row of teeth") + alagos ("storm of wind").[6]

In Eriol's Old English translations, Ancalagon is referred as Anddraca ("Enemy-dragon").[7]

Inspiration

According to an early prophecy attributed to a Wise-woman called Andreth, in an imprecise context Túrin shall return from the Dead before he left the Circles of the World forever, challenging the Great Dragon of Morgoth, Ancalagon the Black, and dealing him the death-stroke. This prophecy could have designated the War of Wrath in origin, but it actually foresees the Last Battle. This version bears several similarities to the celtic "Sybil's Prophecy", according to The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún.[8][9][10]

In popular culture

Two animals are named after Ancalagon: Ancalagon, a Cambrian priapulid by Simon Conway Morris in 1977, and Ankalagon by Leigh Van Valen in 1980, a Paleocene mesonychid mammal.[11]

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Shadow of the Past"
  3. ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, The Shadows of the Past: Index; p. 88
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries alqua, anc
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entries "ÁLAK-", "ÁNAK-", "NAK-"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: Appendix 1: Fragments of a translation of The Quenta Noldorinwa into Old English, made by Ælfwine or Eriol; together with Old English equivalents of Elvish names", p. 209
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XII. The Problem of Ros", p. 374
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún
  11. ↑ Chris Isaak, "Names from Fictional Characters", Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature


Named Dragons
Glaurung · Gostir · Ancalagon · Scatha · Smaug
Retrieved from "https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=Ancalagon&oldid=329736"