Azaghâl
Lord of the Dwarves of Belegost in the Blue Mountains killed during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Azaghal ruled over his people during the First Age. Azaghal's home in the Blue Mountains was located in Beleriand, a vast region in northern Arda. The Dwarves of the Blue Mountains were skilled craftsmen, like their neighbors the Dwarves of Nogrod.
Circa 260 of the First Age, Azaghal was gifted with a helm for fighting dragons. The helm was from a craftsman of Nogrod named Telchar. The helm was crafted in response to the first sightings of Glaurung, a fire-breathing dragon of Morgoth who had come to Beleriand to wreak havoc for Dwarves, Elves, and men alike. Azaghal's helm had a visor that somehow protected the eyes of the wearer so they would not be damaged in the flames.
One day, Azaghal was travelling along the Dwarf-road in East Beleriand when he was captured and tortured by Orcs. Azaghal was saved by an Elf named Maedhros, a son of Feanor. As a token of gratitude, Azaghal gifted Maedhros with the dragon-helm.
In 462, the forces of free peoples in Beleriand challenged their great enemy Morgoth. Azaghal commanded the Dwarves of Belegost during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears in 462. Dwarves were not the only combatants in this battle - there were many men and Elves who were also fighting against Morgoth. However, Morgoth's forces were also vast - his strength included Orcs, wolves, wicked men, Balrogs, dragons, and other creatures. Azaghal's Dwarves were well-prepared for battle, as they wore heavy helms that shielded their faces from a dragon's fire.
Azaghal stood strong during the battle, and he and his Dwarves surrounded Glaurung. But Glaurung withstood Azaghal and wounded him fatally. With his last breathe, Azaghal stabbed Glaurung's stomach, not killing the dragon but significantly wounding him. The Battle of Unnumbered Tears would be remembered as the most crushing defeat Beleriand had ever seen, for the free people lost by a large margin.
Circa 260 of the First Age, Azaghal was gifted with a helm for fighting dragons. The helm was from a craftsman of Nogrod named Telchar. The helm was crafted in response to the first sightings of Glaurung, a fire-breathing dragon of Morgoth who had come to Beleriand to wreak havoc for Dwarves, Elves, and men alike. Azaghal's helm had a visor that somehow protected the eyes of the wearer so they would not be damaged in the flames.
One day, Azaghal was travelling along the Dwarf-road in East Beleriand when he was captured and tortured by Orcs. Azaghal was saved by an Elf named Maedhros, a son of Feanor. As a token of gratitude, Azaghal gifted Maedhros with the dragon-helm.
In 462, the forces of free peoples in Beleriand challenged their great enemy Morgoth. Azaghal commanded the Dwarves of Belegost during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears in 462. Dwarves were not the only combatants in this battle - there were many men and Elves who were also fighting against Morgoth. However, Morgoth's forces were also vast - his strength included Orcs, wolves, wicked men, Balrogs, dragons, and other creatures. Azaghal's Dwarves were well-prepared for battle, as they wore heavy helms that shielded their faces from a dragon's fire.
Azaghal stood strong during the battle, and he and his Dwarves surrounded Glaurung. But Glaurung withstood Azaghal and wounded him fatally. With his last breathe, Azaghal stabbed Glaurung's stomach, not killing the dragon but significantly wounding him. The Battle of Unnumbered Tears would be remembered as the most crushing defeat Beleriand had ever seen, for the free people lost by a large margin.
Names & Meanings
In the Adunaic language of Numenor, azgarâ is a word that means"wage war." This could possibly be related to Azaghâl, but this is uncertain.
References
The Silmarillion: "Of the Fifth Battle," pages 189, 193
The Unfinished Tales: "Narn i Hin Hurin," pages 75, 128, 147
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Grey Annals," page 75
The Unfinished Tales: "Narn i Hin Hurin," pages 75, 128, 147
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Grey Annals," page 75
All Pages Copyright © 2010, The Middle-Earth Encyclopedia