Battle of the Thousand Caves

From Tolkien Gateway
Battle of the Thousand Caves
Conflict: Sack of Doriath
Date: 503 FA
Place: The Elven city of Menegroth
Outcome: Victory for the Dwarves
Combatants

Elves

Dwarves

Commanders
Strength

Unknown, thousands

Uknown, Est. 20-40,000

Casualties

Thousands of soldiers and civilians

Heavy, Est. 10,000 or more

The Battle of the Thousand Caves was a battle between the Dwarves of Nogrod and the Elves of Menegroth.


Events Prior to the Battle

The Quest for the Silmaril resulted the one of the Silmarils taken from the Iron Crown of Morgoth by Beren and Luthien, and it was later, after the Hunting of the Wolf and the slaing of Carcharoth, given to Elu Thingol of Doriath. It remained in the treasury of Thingol, and he desired to have it always at hand.

After some years, Hurin was releast by Morgoth and was let to go wherever he he may desire. Hurin then desired revenge for him and his family, and came first to Nargothrond, and there he found Mim and killed him. From all the treasures he took only Nauglamir, the Necklace of the Dwarves, and brought it to Thingol.

Having the Nauglamir and the Silmaril, the two great treasures, he desided to unite them and put the Silmaril into the Dwarven Necklace. The Dwarves that made that work desired the Silmaril from the beginning, and when the work ended refused to give it. In the conflict Thingol was killed, but the rest of the Dwarves were hunted down at their road to home, and Nauglamir, now with the Silmaril in it, was taken from them.

Opposing Forces

The Battle

Aftermath and Repercussions

Sources