The Lord of the Ringsgave the world its greatest fictional villain in Sauron, but he was only one follower of Morgoth, who had numerous other powerful allies. Morgoth isLord of the Rings’original villain, “there from the first” (The Silmarillion). Sauron gets all the credit, featuring as the main antagonist ofThe Lord of the Rings, the masterwork of British fantasy pioneer J.R.R. Tolkien. This novel, released in three parts between 1954 and 1955, informed the world-famous movie trilogy by Peter Jackson. But Morgoth and his followers were often expanded upon inThe Silmarillion.
This 1977 release compiled the various myths ofLord of the Rings’world of Middle-earthand was edited and published by Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R.’s son, despite being started by J.R.R. himself. Christopher Tolkien wasn’t sure what to include from the vast back catalog of his father’s work, leading to him publishing much more of it after he releasedThe Silmarillion. The full repertoire of published J.R.R. Tolkien texts became known as the legendarium and is full of details of Morgoth, his past, his current situation, and his various dangerous followers.
10Ulfang
Easterling Chieftain
Ulfang was an Easterling Chieftain of the First Age who partnered with Morgoth to ensure the advancement of his people. Easterlings are one ofLord of the Rings’types of Menexplored in the novel and movies, but only slightly.Easterlings sided with Sauronin the War of the Ring inThe Lord of the Rings. They are mostly elaborated on inThe Silmarillion, which is where Ulfang’s arc features. Ulfang was considered one of the Edain (men against Morgoth) and was awarded land by one of Galadriel’s relatives.
Prime Video’sThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerfleetingly portrayed the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, showing the Mound of Slain in its prologue.
Fëanor was a complex figure and accomplished great things but can also be seen as one ofLord of the Rings’Elf villains. He was Galadriel’s uncle and one of his sons, Caranthir, trusted Ulfang a little too much. Caranthir took Ulfang into his service and gave him lands in east Beleriand, which he claimed with his sons and people. But when the Battle of Unnumbered Tears arrived,Ulfang and his fighters betrayed the Elvesand sided with Morgoth, sealing the battle in Morgoth’s favor and leading to the huge casualties that gave the battle its name.
9Maeglin
Son Of The Dark Elf
Maeglin was the son of Eöl,The Silmarillion’sDark Elf, and he followed in his father’s footsteps by betraying the Elves and taking up withLord of the RingsVala Morgoth.Morgoth had promised both Ulfang and Maeglin great things, which was how he swung Elves and Men to his side, even despite his terrible reputation (The Lost Road and Other Writings). Maeglin’s story is pivotal inLotRand central to The Fall of Gondolin, attributed to a large part ofThe Silmarillionand its own book.
Before time
33,537
10,061
Elves awoke in Cuiviénen
4,902
War of Wrath ended
3,441
3,021
Fo.A 1 - unknown
Unknown
Maeglin’s Elvish mother came from Gondolin but was taken captive by his father until she could escape with him and return. In Gondolin, Maeglin fell in love with Idril.Maeglin’s unrequited love fueled a hate that recalled his father’s attitude, and he ended up making a deal with Morgoth, swapping the city’s top-secret location for help securing control of Gondolin and Idril. Maeglin triggered the fall of one ofLord of the Rings’toughest strongholdsbut didn’t survive the Sack of Gondolin.
8Thuringwethil
Sauron’s Herald
Thuringwethil was Sauron’s messenger and herald inThe Silmarillionwhile Sauron was working under Morgoth in the First Age. She was clearly no military leader, occupying the role thatLord of the Rings’Mouth of Sauronassumed in the Third Age.She was defeatedand killed by Lúthien and Huan. However, this doesn’t necessarily indicate a lack of power, since Sauron himself was defeated and slain by the same two characters.
How Sauron Could Return After The Lord Of The Rings Explained
Sauron was vanquished at the end of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and the movies, but fans still speculate as to how he could return.
Sauron was beaten by a dog 6000 years beforeLotR, even though that dog was Huan, the semi-divine wolfhound. After that embarrassing defeat, the half-Elf, half-Maia princessLúthien killed Thuringwethil, skinned her, and wore her like a dress, clarifying that Sauron’s enemies weren’t always angels either. This disguise granted her entry to Morgoth’s lair. Despite her untimely demise, Thuringwethil was a shapeshifter, which meant she was probably an immortal Maia, like Sauron. This meant that her spirit probably formed another body at some point.
7Carcharoth
Morgoth’s Superpowered Guard Dog
Carcharoth was bred from Drauglin, the first Werewolf, and he caused chaos in Middle-earth in the First Age. Although unlikely for a Werewolf to be more powerful than a Maia like Thuringwethil, Carcharoth certainly caused more damage.Carcharoth bit off the hand of Beren, the lover of Lúthien and one of the greatest heroes in the books. Unfortunately for them both, this hand was holding one ofLord of the Rings’three Silmarils.
The Lay of Leithian, which can be read inThe Lays of Beleriand, goes into detail on Carcharoth and his work for Morgoth.
This powerful jewel, crafted by Fëanor, burned evil, and it festered in Carcharoth’s stomach, driving him insane. This huge, powerful werewolf went on a rampage, passing south throughLord of the Rings’realm of Beleriand, terrorizing indiscriminately among Elves, Men, and Orcs.Carcharoth clashed with Huan, the dog that beat both Thuringwethil and Sauron, but this was Huan’s last fight, and they both died in the effort.
6Gothmog
High-captain Of Angband
Gothmog was Lord of Balrogs, a pretty high status, considering that these terrifying monsters killed Durin and Gandalf, and rescued Morgoth from the one evil creature that may have been more powerful than him.Balrogs were among the spirits that Morgoth first corruptedto his service, making them Maiar, some of which were “well nigh as great” as the Valar themselves (The Silmarillion). Butevil destroyed Maiar shapeshifting ability inLord of the Rings, so Balrogs became locked in their demonic bodies.
He killed Fëanor in the Battle-under-Stars and Fingon in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, two of the High Kings of the Noldor.
Gothmog was High-captain of Angband, which was commanded by Sauron, confirming his high rank and critical importance in winning First Age battles for Morgoth. He killed Fëanor in the Battle-under-Stars and Fingon in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, two of the High Kings of the Noldor.He captured Húrin, aSilmarilliongreat, leading to his lengthy tortureand the downfall of his entire house and family. Gothmog met his end on the battlefield by Ecthelion’s hand, taking Ecthelion down with him.
5Durin’s Bane
Flame of Udûn
A Balrog by no other known name,Durin’s Bane was one of the Balrogs that survived into the Third Age. Although he appears a senseless beast in the movies, he was presumably of the same intelligence as Gothmog - smarter than most beings in Middle-earth. His survival indicates this too, with many Balrogs destroyed in the War of Wrath, and Tolkien suggesting that only three to seven Balrogs existed (Morgoth’s Ring).
Balrog spirits were immortal like all Ainur (the race of which Maiar and Valar were a part), but being bound to their forms, it is likely they could never reform a body after being killed. Nonetheless, while incarnated,Durin’s Bane killed Durin, the Dwarvish king, and destroyed Moria, leaving it vacant for centuries. Then, on being reawakened in the Third Age, he drove the Fellowship from the mines and killed Gandalf (revival notwithstanding), one ofLord of the Rings’most powerful characters. He died for his troubles, but this still leaves him an impressive Morgoth follower.
4Glaurung
First Of The Dragons
Glaurung was the first of Morgoth’s much-maligned dragon species, a line which ended in the Smaug ofThe Hobbitfame. Dragons grew to be legends in the world of fantasy, spawning legions of derivative movies and books, not the least of which areDungeons & DragonsandASOIAF. Smaug may not have been loyal to anyone other than himself, with Morgoth long relegated to the Void, but Glaurung was Morgoth’s servant. Glaurung led the largest army of Balrogs and Orcs ever created in the Battle of Sudden Flame.
Glaurung’s ambition began to set him apart from Morgoth’s muscle - the Balrogs.
He helped secure the decisive victory of the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, killing Azaghâl, Dwarven Lord of Belegost. He later stormed Nargothrond, the stronghold built by Galadriel’s brother, Finrod Felagund. Elvish King Orodreth was killed, at which point Glaurung’s ambition began to set him apart from Morgoth’s muscle - the Balrogs. Glaurung claimed this realm, ruling as king. But he also had twisted, cunning magic, executing Morgoth’s curse on Húrin’s children.He hypnotized Nienor into forgetting her pastso that she eventually married her brother and fell pregnant. Glaurung delighted in revealing this, resulting in their suicides.
3Ancalagon
Greatest Of The Dragons
Ancalagon was dubbed the greatest of Morgoth’s dragons.He had wings, unlike Glaurung, representing an evolution in dragonkind. Indeed, he was one of onlyfour named dragons inThe Lord of the Rings. Ancalagon didn’t last anywhere near as long as Glaurung did, only fighting one battle. He was brought down by Elrond’s father, Eärendil, who is probably amongLord of the Rings’top 10 heroes. However, Ancalagon was definitively stated to be more powerful than Glaurung, boasting both flame and wings.
Ancalagon’s fire-breathing fury was unleashed during the War of Wrath, which was so disastrous that it sunk the whole of Beleriand and ended the First Age.Although his reign of terror was short-lived, his impact was huge, which goes to show how much terror could lie in wait in Middle-earth, since some dragons may remain. Gandalf implied this when he stated, “There is not now any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough [to melt the Rings of Power].”
2Ungoliant
Primordial Spider
Ungoliant is a mysterious, primordial spider being who worked with Morgoth in the First Age to destroy the Two Trees.The Eldar didn’t know where she came from, but some said that “in ages long before she descended from the darkness that lies about Arda, when Melkor first looked down in envy upon the Kingdom of Manwë… and that in the beginning she was one of those that he corrupted to his service.” This would likely make her a Maia “well nigh as great” as the Valar, since Morgoth corrupted many, and Ungoliant was greater than Morgoth at one point.
Ungoliant chose the form of a giant spider, implying her shapeshifting Maiar status. Morgoth speared the Two Trees - Valinor’s light source - and Ungoliant sucked the light from them, enhancing her size and power. Draining more light,she grew so big she terrified Morgoth. She spun webs of gloom across the continent that sent its residents mad, and eventually demanded more payment from Morgoth for her help than he wanted to give. She ruthlessly attacked him and would have won the single combat fight if Balrogs hadn’t come to his rescue. She fled, spawning Shelob, but her fate is unknown.
1Sauron
The Lord Of The Rings
Sauron was the eponymous Lord of the Ringsand became Morgoth’s most powerful follower during his reign. After Morgoth’s fall, Sauron continued serving him in the Second Age, worshiping him in Númenor. But he later claimed to be “Morgoth returned” from defeat.At the end ofLord of the Rings, Sauron was reducedto a weak spirit, and some Balrogs and dragons may have remained that still served Morgoth. Orcs, Trolls, and Wargs certainly remained. However, like dark-leaning Men, they probably served Sauron, if any dark leader, after Sauron’s fall, since Morgoth had been naught but a rumor for centuries.
An Adaptation Of Tolkien’s Unfinished Time Travel Story Would Be Lord Of The Rings' Zaniest Take On Sauron Yet
Sauron and Elendil hit college in the zaniest possible Lord of the Rings adaptation yet, based on one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s little-known novels.
Sauron’s powers inLord of the Ringsranged from shapeshifting, mind-reading, and song battling, to the kind of sorcery that Morgoth taught.Sauron split his soul, pouring it into the One Ring, and forged the Rings of Power. His smithing legacy was so great that Maiar of Aulë - who Sauron originally served - still valued his work as mighty even after he fell from grace. Not to mention, he basically ruled Middle-earth in the Second Age for a spell before being defeated but rose again in the Third Age ofThe Lord of the Rings.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
