Middle-earth peoples

{{Short description|none}} {{about|the races in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional fantasy world of Middle-earth|the book|The Peoples of Middle-earth}} {{Use British English|date=May 2022}} The [[fictional race]]s and peoples that appear in [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s [[fantasy]] world of [[Middle-earth]] include the seven listed in Appendix F of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'': [[Elves in Middle-earth|Elves]], [[Men in Middle-earth|Men]], [[Dwarves in Middle-earth|Dwarves]], [[Hobbit]]s, [[Ent]]s, [[Orc]]s and [[Trolls in Middle-earth|Trolls]], as well as spirits such as the [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]] and [[Maia (Middle-earth)|Maiar]]. Other beings of Middle-earth are of unclear nature such as [[Tom Bombadil]] and his wife [[Goldberry]].

== Ainur ==

The Ainur are [[angel]]ic spirits created by [[Eru Ilúvatar]] at the Beginning. The Ainur who subsequently enter the physical world of Middle-earth are the [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]] ("powers"), though that term primarily means the mightiest among them.<ref name="Ainulindale" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "[[Ainulindale]]"</ref> Lesser spirits are called the [[Maia (Middle-earth)|Maiar]]. Most of the Valar and Maiar withdraw from Middle-earth to the Undying Lands of [[Valinor]], though some of the Maiar assume mortal forms to help or hinder the peoples of Middle-earth, such as the Istari (Wizards), Melian, Balrogs, and the Dark Lord [[Sauron]].<ref name="Maiar" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "Valaquenta", "Of the Maiar" and "Of the Enemies"</ref>

=== Wizards ===

The wizards of Middle-earth are Maiar: spirits of the same order as the Valar, but lesser in power.<ref name="Istari" group=T/> Outwardly resembling [[Man (Middle-earth)|Men]] but possessing much greater physical and mental power, they are called {{anchor|Istari}}'''Istari''' ([[Quenya]] for "Wise Ones") by the [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]].<ref name="Istari" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980}} "The Istari"</ref> They are sent by the Valar to assist the people of Middle-earth to contest Sauron.<ref name="Istari" group=T/> The first three of these five wizards are known in the Mannish tongues of the Lord of the Rings series as [[Saruman]] "man of skill" ([[Rohirric]]), [[Gandalf]] "elf of the staff" (northern Men), and [[Radagast]] "tender of beasts" (possibly [[Westron]]).<ref name="Istari" group=T/> Tolkien never provided non-Elvish names for the other two; one tradition gives their names in Valinor as Alatar and Pallando,<ref name="Istari" group=T/> and another as Morinehtar and Rómestámo in Middle-earth.<ref name="XIIWizards" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1996}}, p. 384–385.</ref> Each wizard in the series has robes of a characteristic colour: white for Saruman (the chief and the most powerful of the five), grey for Gandalf, brown for Radagast,<ref name="Orr, Robert 1994 p. 23">It has been suggested that his name is taken from the Slavic [[Radegast (god)|god Radegast]]. {{cite journal |last=Orr |first=Robert |title=Some Slavic Echos in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth |journal=Germano-Slavica |volume=8 |year=1994 |pages=23–34}}</ref> and sea-blue for the remaining two, known consequently as the Blue Wizards. Gandalf and Saruman play important roles in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', while Radagast appears only briefly, innocently helping Saruman to deceive Gandalf, who believes Radagast since he is honest, and fortuitously alerting [[Eagles in Middle-earth|Gwaihir]] to rescue Gandalf again. The Blue Wizards do not feature in the story; they are said to have journeyed far into the east after their arrival in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name="Istari" group=T/>

As the Istari are Maiar, each one serves a Vala in some way. Saruman was the servant and helper of [[Aulë]], and so learned much in the art of craftsmanship, mechanics, and metal-working, as was seen in the later Third Age. Gandalf was the servant of [[Manwë (Middle-earth)|Manwë]] or [[Varda (Middle-earth)|Varda]], but was a lover of the Gardens of [[Lórien (Vala)|Lórien]], and so knew much of the hopes and dreams of Men and Elves. Radagast, servant of [[Yavanna]], loved the things of nature, both animals and plants. As each of these Istari learned from their Vala, so they acted in Middle-earth.<ref name="Istari" group=T/>

=== Balrogs ===

Demonic creatures of fire and shadow, Balrogs are fallen Maiar, loyal to the first Dark Lord, [[Morgoth]]. They participated in the wars of the First Age of Middle-earth but are mostly destroyed during the [[War of Wrath]] which ended the Age.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}} "Valaquenta"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}} ch. 3 "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"</ref> By the Third Age, the only remaining Balrog was "Durin's Bane," the Balrog of [[Moria (Middle-earth)|Moria]], killed by Gandalf.<ref name="Bridge of Khazad-dûm" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 2, ch. 5 "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"</ref>

== Free peoples ==

The Free Peoples of Middle-earth are the four races that never fell under the sway of the evil spirits Morgoth or Sauron: Elves, Men, Dwarves and Ents. Strictly speaking, among Men it was only the Men of the West who are Free People, particularly the descendants of the [[Dúnedain]] of the Isle of [[Númenor]], as most Men of the East and South of Middle-earth become servants of Morgoth and Sauron over the ages. The Ent Treebeard quotes lines from a traditional lay listing them:<ref name="Treebeard" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954}}, Book 3, Chapter 4 "Treebeard"</ref>

<blockquote> :First name the four, the free peoples :Eldest of all, the elf-children :Dwarf the delver, dark are his houses :Ent the earthborn, old as mountains :Man the mortal, master of horses </blockquote>

After encountering the hobbits Merry and Pippin, he consents that hobbits are a fifth free people, adding a fifth line, "Half-grown hobbits, the hole-dwellers".<ref name="Treebeard" group=T/>

=== Dwarves ===

The race of Dwarves prefers to live in mountains and caves, settling in places such as [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] (the Lonely Mountain), the [[Iron Hills]], the [[Ered Luin|Blue Mountains]], and Moria (Khazad-dûm) in the [[Misty Mountains]]. [[Aulë]] the Smith creates Dwarves; he invents the Dwarven language, known as [[Khuzdul]]. Dwarves mine and work precious metals throughout the mountains of Middle-earth. The seven different groups of Dwarf-folk originate in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke before the [[First Age]].<ref name="Evans 2013 (Drout)">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Evans |first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan Evans (scholar) |title=Dwarves |editor-last=Drout |editor-first=Michael D. C. |editor-link=Michael D. C. Drout |encyclopedia=[[The J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia]] |year=2013 |orig-year=2007 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-86511-1 |pages=134–135}}</ref>

=== Elves ===

The Elves, or Firstborn, are the first of Eru's Children to awaken. Born under the stars before the ascension of the Moon and the Sun, they retain a special love for light and an inner spirit endowed with unique gifts. They call themselves the [[Quendi]], or "Speakers", for they are the first to utter words; and, even now, no race understands language and song like the Firstborn. Fair and fine-featured, brilliant and proud, immortal and strong, tall and agile, they are the most blessed of the Free Peoples. They can see as well under moon or starlight as a man at the height of day. They cannot become sick or scarred, but if an Elf should die, from violence or losing the will to live from grief, their spirit goes to the halls of Mandos, as they are bound to Arda and cannot leave until the world is broken and remade. Elven skill and agility is legendary: for instance, walking atop freshly fallen snow without leaving a trace of their passing. On a clear day they can see ten miles with perfect clarity and detail up to 100 miles. These gifts come at great cost, though: they are strongly bound to Fate (see [[Mandos]]) and hated by Morgoth. No other race has been blessed and cursed more than the Quendi.<ref name="Of the Coming of the Elves" group=T/>

The Quendi are [[Sundering of the Elves|sundered]] after the awakening and many sub-groups appear. The First Sundering occurs when some left Middle-earth to live in the blessed realm of Valinor, while others stayed behind. This produces the Eldar, who accept the call to come to Valinor, and the [[Avari (Middle-earth)|Avari]], who refuse the great journey. Elves who stay in Middle-earth and never see the light of the trees become known as the [[Moriquendi]] or "Dark-elves". This does not imply that the Dark-elves are evil.<ref name="Dickerson 2013">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Dickerson |first=Matthew |author-link=Matthew T. Dickerson |editor-last=Drout |editor-first=Michael D. C. |editor-link=Michael D. C. Drout |title=Elves: Kindreds and Migrations |encyclopedia=[[The J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia]] |year=2013 |orig-year=2007 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-86511-1 |pages=152–154}}</ref>

On the journey to Valinor, some of the Teleri ("Those who tarried") abandon the main group, and those of them who did not mingle with the Moriquendi become the [[Laiquendi]] (Green-elves), the [[Sindar]] (Grey-elves) and the [[Nandor (Middle-earth)|Nandor]]. These elves of the great journey who remain in Middle-earth are then called the [[Úmanyar]] (The Unwilling). The Eldar who reach Valinor are eventually divided into three distinct groups: [[Vanyar]], [[Noldor]] and [[Teleri]]. These three groups become known as the [[Calaquendi]] or "Light-elves" because they saw the light of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}} Tables: "The Sundering of the Elves"</ref> Later some of the Noldor go back to Middle-earth in their quest for the [[Silmaril]]s, while the Vanyar remain in Valinor.<ref name="Dickerson 2013"/>

The [[Silvan Elves]], of [[Nandor]] and [[Avari (Middle-earth)|Avari]] descent, inhabited [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lothlórien]].

In Tolkien's earliest writings, elves are variously named sprites, [[Fairies|fays]], [[Brownie (folklore)|brownies]], [[pixie]]s, or [[Leprechaun|leprawns]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fimi |first=Dimitra |author-link=Dimitra Fimi |title=Tolkien, Race, and Cultural History: from Fairies to Hobbits |title-link=Tolkien, Race and Cultural History |year=2010 |orig-year=2008 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-0-230-27284-2 |oclc=619082411 |pages=23–27}}</ref> By 1915, when Tolkien was writing his first elven poems, the words'' elf'', ''fairy'' and ''gnome'' had many divergent and contradictory associations. Tolkien was gently warned against the term 'fairy', probably for its growing association with [[homosexuality]].<ref>{{ME-ref|Garth|p. 76}}</ref> Tolkien eventually chose the term ''elf'' over ''fairy''. In his 1939 essay ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'', Tolkien wrote that "English words such as ''elf'' have long been influenced by French (from which ''fay'' and ''faërie'', ''fairy'' are derived); but in later times, through their use in translation, ''fairy'' and ''elf'' have acquired much of the atmosphere of German, Scandinavian, and Celtic tales, and many characteristics of the ''[[Huldufólk|huldu-fólk]]'', the ''[[Daoine Sidhe|daoine-sithe]]'', and the ''[[Tylwyth Teg|tylwyth-teg]]''."<ref>{{cite book |last=Burns |first=Marjorie |author-link=Marjorie Burns |title=Perilous realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth |title-link=Perilous Realms |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |year=2005 |isbn=0-8020-3806-9 |pages=22–23}}</ref>

===Men=== {{main|Men in Middle-earth}}

During the time of ''The Lord of the Rings'', Men live in many places in Middle-earth, with the largest group of free men in the countries of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]]. When the island of Númenor falls, only the Faithful escape and found the twin kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. The Faithful are known in Middle-earth as the Dúnedain, and as leaders of these kingdoms, they are able to lead the resistance to Sauron, and preserve the Men of the West as Free People. There are also free men at the village of [[Bree (Middle-earth)|Bree]], at [[Esgaroth]], in [[Drúadan Forest]] (home to "wild men" known as [[Drúedain]] or Woses), and in the icy regions of Forochel. Those who serve evil powers, such as the men of [[Dunland]], [[Rhûn]], [[Harad]], and [[Umbar]], are not considered free men. Men bear the so-called Gift of Men, mortality. The descendants of the Dúnedain include the [[Rangers of the North]] and the [[Ranger (Middle-earth)#Rangers of Ithilien|Rangers of Ithilien]].<ref name="Straubhaar 2013"/>

==== Drúedain ====

The Drúedain, one of the earliest varieties of men, live in small numbers, often in tribes. They are little folk, shorter than dwarves, yet taller than hobbits. They are known for their [[African diaspora religions|voodoo]]-like magic, their black eyes (which glow red when they are angry), and their ability to sit for hours and days on end without moving or blinking. They grow little hair, except that on their heads and sometimes small tufts on their chins. They are short and stout, and other men tend to dislike them due to their harsh, rough voices. Their laughter, however, is full of mirth. It is said that their skill of stonework rivals the Dwarves'. The Drughu are not evil. They are mortal enemies of orcs, defending the homes of their human neighbours with their own lives and with the aid of their magical Watch-Stones. The Elves of [[Beleriand]] develop a special fondness for them and value their skill at fighting orcs.<ref>{{cite book |last=Shippey |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Shippey |title=[[The Road to Middle-Earth]] |date=2005 |edition=Third |orig-year=1982 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=978-0261102750 |pages=74, 149}}</ref><ref name="The Ride of the Rohirrim" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Book 5, ch. 5, "The Ride of the Rohirrim".</ref>

=== Ents ===

Ents are an ancient race of tree-like creatures, having become like the trees that they shepherd. They are created by Yavanna and given life by Ilúvatar. By the Third Age, they are a dwindling race, having long ago lost their mates, the Entwives.<ref name="Treebeard2" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954}}, book 3, ch. 4: "Treebeard".</ref><ref name="Many Partings" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, book 6, ch. 6 "Many Partings"</ref>

==== Huorns ====

Close kin of the Ents, Huorns are animated trees that possess sentience. They are said to have voices but can only be understood by the Ents. Tolkien [[Tolkien's ambiguity|allowed it to remain ambiguous]] as to whether Huorns are simply trees that become aware, or Ents that become more "treeish" over time. Huorns are found in [[Fangorn Forest]] and possibly the [[Old Forest]] near [[Buckland (Middle-earth)|Buckland]]. Legolas mentions that the Elves helped to wake up the trees. The Huorns decide the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]], destroying Saruman's army of Orcs when they flee towards them.<ref name="Helm's Deep" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954}}, book 3, ch. 7 "Helm's Deep"</ref>

=== Hobbits === {{main|Hobbit}}

Hobbits are a race of Middle-earth, also known as 'halflings' on account of their short stature. They are characterized by curly hair on their heads and leathery feet with furry insteps; they do not wear shoes. Many hobbits live in the [[Shire (Middle-earth)|Shire]] as well as Bree, and they once lived in the vales of the [[Anduin]]. They are fond of an unadventurous life of farming, eating, and socializing. There are three types of Hobbits. The Harfoots are the most numerous. The Stoors have an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the Fallohides are an adventurous people. The origin of hobbits is unclear, but of all the races they have the closest affinity to men, and in the Prologue to ''The Lord of the Rings'' Tolkien calls them relatives of men.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, Prologue.</ref>

== Enslaved peoples ==

Enslaved peoples are those races that have fallen under the sway of the evil spirits Morgoth and Sauron, also known by the Free Peoples as 'Servants of the Enemy'. They included Orcs, Trolls and Men. The origin of Orcs and Trolls is unclear, but they are races that are taken by Morgoth and corrupted through sorcery into their final evil nature and appearance.

Men are rarely corrupted by Morgoth or Sauron in the same way. Rather, their hearts and minds are corrupted by power and evil impulses, while they retain the physical appearance of men. Prolonged service to Sauron however, does turn the bearers of the Rings of Power from Men into the wraith-like Nazgûl. Those men who are the servants of Morgoth or Sauron are mostly from the east and south of Middle-earth.<ref name="Straubhaar 2013"/>

=== Evil Men ===

Not all Men are on the side of good; the Men who lived in the east and south are under Sauron's dominion. They included the ''[[Haradrim]]'' or Southrons and the [[Black Númenóreans]] (and later the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] of Umbar) who pledged their allegiance to Mordor, and many different Easterling peoples, such as the Balchoth, the Wainriders, and the Men of [[Khand (Middle-earth)|Khand]], who attacked Gondor and Rohan on numerous occasions. The Wild Men of Dunland served as agents to the traitorous wizard Saruman. In the First Age, some Easterlings are under Morgoth's dominion.<ref name="Straubhaar 2013">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Straubhaar |first=Sandra Ballif |author-link=Sandra Ballif Straubhaar |editor-last=Drout |editor-first=Michael D. C. |editor-link=Michael D. C. Drout |title=Men, Middle-earth |encyclopedia=[[The J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia|The J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment]] |year=2013 |orig-year=2007 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-135-88034-7 |pages=414–417}}</ref>

==== Ringwraiths ====

The Ringwraiths (also known as Nazgûl or Black Riders) are once great Men who are given [[Rings of Power]] by Sauron. These gradually corrupt them until they became slaves to the Dark Lord's will. Clad in dark hooded cloaks and riding demonic steeds or flying "fell beasts", the Ringwraiths forever hunt for the [[One Ring]] to bring it back to their master.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}} "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"</ref><ref name="Akallabêth" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}} "The Akallabêth"</ref><ref name="Journey of the Black Riders" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980}} 4. "The Hunt for the Ring" i. "Of the Journey of the Black Riders"</ref>

==== The Dead ====

Also known as [[ghost]]s or [[Shade (mythology)|shades]], they are spirits of Men unable to pass on to the afterlife. Spirits haunt various regions of Middle-earth, most notably the [[Dead Marshes]] and the [[Paths of the Dead]], which are guarded by the Dead Men of [[Dunharrow]].

=== Orcs ===

Orcs are a race first bred by Morgoth, mostly living in mountain caves and disliking sunlight. Many of them live in the Misty Mountains, while others live in [[Mordor]]. They are also known as goblins. The Orcs are not created, since "evil cannot create, only corrupt" in Tolkien's philosophical perspective. One version of their origin postulates that they are Elves who are corrupted and whose appearance has changed over time. However, Tolkien wrote other accounts of their origin,<ref name="Of the Coming of the Elves" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"</ref> in an attempt to resolve the [[Tolkien's sentience dilemma|dilemma of how they could be sentient and wholly evil]].{{sfn|Shippey|2005|pp=265, 362, 438}}

Sauron and Saruman the wizard breeds an unusually large and powerful type of orc, the Uruk-hai. Although most orcs do not like the sun and could not bear to be in it, the Uruk-hai can stand daylight.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954}}, "The Riders of Rohan"</ref> Deformed half-orcs exist, crossbred from Men and Orcs.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954}}, book 3, ch. 9 "Flotsam and Jetsam"</ref> Tolkien uses the term "[[Goblin (Middle-earth)|Goblin]]" mainly interchangeably with Orc,<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} Foreword</ref> though sometimes in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' the term is exclusively used for the smaller sub-races of Orcs native to the [[Misty Mountains]].

=== Trolls ===

Trolls are said to have been created by Morgoth "in mockery of" the Ents. They dislike the sun, and some types, like the three Trolls from ''The Hobbit'', turn to stone if exposed to sunlight. Trolls dwell in the Misty Mountains as well as in Mordor. Sauron breeds the [[Olog-hai]]: large, clever, and resistant to the sun.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}} Appendix F "Of Other Races"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 2, ch. 5 "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, book 5, ch. 4 "The Siege of Gondor"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, book 5, ch. 10, "The Black Gate Opens"</ref>

=== Barrow-wights ===

Barrow-wights (from [[Middle English]] [[wight]], a man) are dark spirits sent by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] to possess and animate the bodies and bones of the former kings of the Dúnedain. These [[undead]] monsters haunt the [[Barrow-downs]] near Bree.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 1, ch. 8 "Fog on the Barrow-downs"</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Hammond |first1=Wayne G. |author1-link=Wayne G. Hammond |last2=Scull |first2=Christina |author2-link=Christina Scull |title=The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion |title-link=The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] | year=2005 |isbn=978-0-00-720907-1 |pages=137, 142–146}}</ref>

== Other beings ==

=== Tom Bombadil ===

Tom Bombadil does not belong to any of the peoples of Middle-earth; Tolkien calls him the spirit of the countryside.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Carpenter|2023|loc=#19 to [[Stanley Unwin (publisher)|Stanley Unwin]], 16 December 1937 }}</ref> Unlike the other races, he is seemingly unaffected by the One Ring and appears to have existed before the Children of Ilúvatar (Elves and Men). As to the nature of Bombadil, Tolkien himself said that some things should remain mysterious in any mythology, "especially if an explanation actually exists."<ref name="To Naomi Mitchison" group=T>{{harvnb|Carpenter|2023|loc=#144 to [[Naomi Mitchison]], 25 April 1954 }}</ref><ref name="The Old Forest" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 6, "The Old Forest"</ref><ref name="In the House of Tom Bombadil" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 7, "In the House of Tom Bombadil"</ref> Tom is also known as "The First", "Master Tom", "Old Tom", "Iarwain Ben-adar" (a [[Sindarin]] name meaning "The Oldest without a father"). The Noldor call him "Orald" meaning "Very Old", [[Dwarf (Middle-earth)|Dwarves]] call him "Forn" (meaning: The Ancient).

=== River-spirits ===

Spirits of nature tied to rivers and waterways. Only two are mentioned by Tolkien: [[Goldberry]], the wife of [[Tom Bombadil]], and her mother the River-woman. It is unknown whether these beings are unique, part of a larger race, or a form of Maiar.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rateliff |first=John D. |author-link=John D. Rateliff |title=Mr Baggins |date=2007 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=978-0007235551 |pages=50, 59}}</ref>

=== Giants ===

Giants (or Ettens) other than Ents are mentioned only a few times by Tolkien. In ''The Hobbit'', stone giants of the Misty Mountains are briefly mentioned, being said to lob stones at [[Thorin Oakenshield|Thorin]] and Company.<ref group="T" name="Over Hill and Under Hill">{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}}, "Over Hill and Under Hill"</ref>

=== Dragons ===

[[File:Smaug par David Demaret.jpg|thumb|[[Smaug]] in fan art]]

Dragons are already present in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''. Tolkien had been fascinated with dragons since childhood,<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1964}} "[[On Fairy-Stories]]"</ref> and he named four dragons in his Middle-earth writings. Like the [[Old Norse]] dragon [[Fafnir]], they are able to speak, and can be subtle of speech.<ref name="Fafnir comparison">{{cite book |last=Shippey |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Shippey |title=[[J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century]] |date=2001 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=978-0261-10401-3 |pages=36–37}}; summarized in {{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=Stuart D. |author-link=Stuart D. Lee |last2=Solopova |first2=Elizabeth |author2-link=Elizabeth Solopova |title=The Keys of Middle-earth: Discovering Medieval Literature Through the Fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien |title-link=The Keys of Middle-earth |date=2005 |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan|Palgrave]] |isbn=978-1403946713 |pages=109–111}}</ref>

Glaurung, in ''The Silmarillion'', is the Father of Dragons in Tolkien's legendarium, the first of the Fire-drakes of [[Angband (Middle-earth)|Angband]]. Tolkien wrote that Glaurung had four legs and no wings and could not fly, and sired the brood of Urulóki, wingless fire-breathing dragons.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, ch. 20 "Of the Fifth Battle". "Glaurung and his brood..."</ref> He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of Angband. Glaurung is the main antagonist of ''[[The Children of Húrin]]'', and his deceptive actions led to the suicides of its main characters [[Túrin Turambar]] and Niënor Níniel.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, ch. 18 "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"</ref>

Ancalagon the Black ([[Sindarin]]: ''rushing jaws'' from ''anc'' 'jaw', ''alag'' 'impetuous'<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1987}} "[[The Etymologies (Tolkien)|The Etymologies]]"</ref>) was the first of the winged Fire-drakes and the greatest of all dragons, bred by [[Morgoth]] during the [[First Age]], as told in ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. Ancalagon is so large that his body crushed "the towers of [[Thangorodrim]]" when he fell on them after being killed by [[Eärendil]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}} ch. 24 "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"</ref>

Scatha was a mighty "long-worm" of the [[Ered Mithrin|Grey Mountains]]. He was killed by [[Fram (Middle-earth)|Fram]] in the early days of the [[Éothéod]]. After slaying Scatha, Fram's ownership of his recovered hoard was disputed by the [[Dwarf (Middle-earth)|Dwarves]] of that region. Fram rebuked this claim, sending them instead Scatha's teeth, with the words, "Jewels such as these you will not match in your treasuries, for they are hard to come by." This led to his death in a feud with the Dwarves. The Éothéod retained at least some of the hoard, and brought it south with them when they settled in [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]]. The silver horn that [[Éowyn]] gave to [[Merry Brandybuck]] after the [[War of the Ring]], crucial in "[[The Scouring of the Shire#Wish-fulfilment|The Scouring of the Shire]]", came from this hoard.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Drout |first1=Michael D. C. |author-link=Michael Drout |last2=Hitotsubashi |first2=Namiko |last3=Scavera |first3=Rachel |title=Tolkien's Creation of the Impression of Depth |journal=[[Tolkien Studies]] |volume=11 |issue=1 |year=2014 |pages=167–211 |issn=1547-3163 |doi=10.1353/tks.2014.0008|s2cid=170851865}}</ref>

[[Smaug]] of [[Erebor]], the Lonely Mountain, was killed by [[Bard the Bowman]] in Dale, as told in ''The Hobbit''. Smaug serves as a main antagonist of Thorin and Company, as they seek to reclaim the Dwarven kingdom of Erebor that Smaug had taken.<ref name="The Hobbit" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}} chs. 1 "An Unexpected Party", 14 "Fire and Water"</ref>

== References ==

=== Primary ===

=== Secondary ===

=== Sources ===

* {{ME-ref|Letters}} * {{ME-ref|TH}} * {{ME-ref|FOTR}} * {{ME-ref|TT}} * {{ME-ref|ROTK}} * {{ME-ref|Tree & Leaf}} * {{ME-ref|Silm}} * {{ME-ref|UT}} * {{ME-ref|LROW}} * {{ME-ref|POME}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Middle-earth Peoples}} [[Category:Middle-earth races|*]] [[Category:Middle-earth monsters]]