The Battle of Flames: Unveiling the Mightiest Balrog in LOTR

The Balrogs, also known as Valaraukar, are dark and fiery demons originating from the Maiar in The Lord of the Rings saga. These powerful spirits were corrupted by the first Dark Lord Melkor, also called Morgoth, to join his cause.

Among the Balrogs, the most well-known is the one dwelling beneath the mines of Moria. The Fellowship encounters this Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm in the year 3019 of the Third Age. Only Gandalf the Grey possesses enough power to protect the others from this menacing creature. Thus begins the Battle of the Peak, as Gandalf and the Balrog clash. Eventually, the Balrog plummets into the depths of Moria, dragging Gandalf along. Their intense conflict spans ten days, moving from the Endless Stair to the peak of the Silvertine. Ultimately, Gandalf triumphs over the Balrog, but at the cost of his own life. Interestingly, this Balrog is not the mightiest in Middle-earth's history; numerous others, including the Lord of Balrogs, existed in ancient times.

What Is a Balrog?

Balrogs, though their appearance is not explicitly described, are generally depicted as tall and large creatures with flowing fiery manes. They possess immense power and agility, often choosing to reside underground in a state of hibernation. Their primary form of attack involves the use of flaming whips, although there have been instances where they wielded other fiery weapons, such as swords. Fascination among fans arises from J. R. R. Tolkien's mention in The Fellowship of the Ring that the shadow of a Balrog extends like colossal wings, leading to debate about the presence of actual wings on the creature.

During the First Age, Balrogs actively participated in the wars waged by Morgoth against the Elves and Men. Initially dwelling in Utumno, Morgoth's initial stronghold, they later retreated to the caverns of Angband following his defeat by the Valar in the Battle of the Powers. Eagerly anticipating Morgoth's return, they patiently bided their time until he and Ungoliant, the ancient giant spider, destroyed the Valar's Trees and arrived at their second fortress. A dispute arises, prompting Ungoliant to attack Morgoth. His cry awakens the slumbering Balrogs, who swiftly rush towards him, unleashing a blazing storm of fire that dismantles Ungoliant's webs and forces her to retreat.

After the Ñoldor triumph against Morgoth's forces in the Battle Under the Stars and begin their journey towards Angband, the Balrogs launch their first attack on the Elves. Fëanor, the Ñoldor King, intent on defeating Morgoth himself, falls into a deadly ambush and loses his life. Many centuries later, during the Battle of the Sudden Flame, the Balrogs join forces with Orcs and the dragon Glaurung to assault the Elves and the Edain. This victory signifies the end of the siege of Angband.

In the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, the Balrogs appear near the conclusion, leading to a resounding triumph for Morgoth. Subsequently, in the Fall of Gondolin, Morgoth's army demolishes the Ñoldor's fortress. Two Balrogs meet their demise during this conflict, while the remaining Balrogs continue to engage in the War of Wrath, ultimately bringing an end to Morgoth's reign. The majority of the Balrogs are obliterated, but some manage to escape and conceal themselves within the recesses of Middle-earth.

How Many Balrogs Were There in Middle Earth?

: The Balrogs, believed to be mythical creatures, remained dormant throughout the Second Age. However, in the year 1980 of the Third Age, a solitary Balrog emerged from the depths of Khazad-dûm, the majestic Dwarven realm. Unintentionally awakened during the Dwarves' mithril mining endeavors, this fearsome creature expelled them from Moria and ended the reign of King Durin VI, thus earning the title 'Durin's Bane.' Over a thousand years later, it was Gandalf who ultimately vanquished this formidable foe.

The exact number of Balrogs that existed has always been a subject of uncertainty. Initially, there was a depiction of a substantial number of them: "There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand..." (The Lost Road and Other Writings). However, Christopher Tolkien points out in The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two that in their early conception, Balrogs were not as frightening and were relatively easier to destroy. Nevertheless, as Balrogs were developed into more terrifying creatures, their numbers were reduced. As mentioned in Morgoth's Ring, "In the margin my father wrote: There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed."

Who Is the Strongest Balrog?

The fate of those who fled after the downfall of Morgoth and "hid themselves in caverns inaccessible at the roots of the earth" remains a mystery, leaving us uncertain if Durin's Bane was indeed the last of the Balrogs.

Gothmog, an esteemed Balrog who pledged loyalty to Morgoth during the First Age, holds the distinction of being the mightiest Balrog in all of Middle-earth. As the appointed High Captain of Angband, he is bestowed with the esteemed title of ‘Lord of Balrogs’. In addition to wielding a fiery whip on the battlefield, he is widely renowned for his possession of a formidable black ax.

He bears the responsibility for slaying two of the High Kings of the Ñoldor. Initially, he inflicts a mortal injury upon Fëanor, and later engages in a fierce battle against Fingon during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. When a second Balrog known as Lungorthin ensnares Fingon within a steel trap, Gothmog succeeds in killing him. Additionally, he captures Húrin, renowned as the mightiest warrior of Men during the First Age, and delivers him to Angband, where his master tortures him relentlessly in order to extract the whereabouts of Gondolin.

In 510, Gothmog and the other Balrogs lay siege to Gondolin, where he engages in a duel with Lord Ecthelion of the Fountain. Ecthelion strikes the Balrog's chest with his pointed helmet, causing both combatants to plummet into the Fountain of the King. While Gothmog succumbs to the water's extinguishing power, Ecthelion tragically meets his end.