Morgoth
| House / Order | |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | Vala (Ainu) |
| Status | Cast into the Void |
| Origin | Utumno; Angband |
| Born | |
| Died | |
| Weapon | |
| Fate | Defeated in the War of Wrath and thrust beyond the Walls of the World |
| Portrayed by |
Morgoth, originally named Melkor, was the first and greatest of the Ainur, and the prime source of evil in Arda. The mightiest of the Valar in the beginning, he fell into pride and rebellion, and became the Dark Enemy against whom the whole history of the Elder Days was set. Sauron was but his chief lieutenant.
Origins
Morgoth was created as the greatest of the Ainur, possessing a share of the powers of all his brethren. From the first he desired to bring all things under his own will, and he marred the Music of the Ainur with discord. When the world was made he sought to claim it for his own, opposing the labours of the other Valar at every turn.
Wars in Arda
Melkor raised the fortresses of Utumno and Angband in the north. The Valar made war upon him and cast down Utumno, but he escaped. After the Elves awoke, he returned, destroyed the Two Trees of Valinor with the aid of the spider Ungoliant, and stole the Silmarils, the jewels wrought by Fëanor. For this theft and the slaying of the Elf-king Finwë, Fëanor named him Morgoth, "the Black Foe of the World".
The Long Defeat
Fleeing to Angband, Morgoth set the Silmarils in his iron crown and waged the long wars of Beleriand against the Noldor who pursued him. He commanded hosts of Orcs, Balrogs, and dragons, and was opposed by the Elves and the Edain. One Silmaril was wrested from his crown by Beren and Lúthien.
Downfall
At the end of the First Age the Valar came at last out of the West in the War of Wrath. Morgoth's might was broken, Angband destroyed, and he himself was chained and thrust out through the Door of Night into the Timeless Void beyond the Walls of the World. It was foretold that he would return for a final battle at the end of days.