Creation: Before the Music of the Ainur at the beginning of time
Demise: Banished from the world and cast into the Void in 590 of the First Age; found his way back into the world before the ending of the world Race: Ainur Creator: Eru Iluvatar Siblings: Manwe Realms: Utumno and Angband in Beleriand |
Biography
Morgoth was the great and evil Dark Lord of Arda during the First Age. Morgoth was first known as Melkor. Melkor was an intensely evil being initially created by Eru Iluvatar himself. Though Eru would not have intended for Melkor to be evil, he somehow developed evil ways (the exact reason for this is uncertain, but some speculation is done in this biography). Melkor betray the other fourteen of the most powerful Ainur who became the Valar, and he resorted to evil ways. After the creation of Arda, Melkor came to Arda and corrupted many of the Maiar, most significantly Sauron, and he fled to the continent of Middle-Earth where he began doing great evil. By the end of the First Age, the peoples of Middle-Earth had had enough of Morgoth's treachery and the Valar challenged Morgoth in the War of Wrath. Morgoth was defeated but not killed, and he was chained and cast into the Void outside of the world, stuck behind the Doors of Night. According to a prophecy made by Mandos, Morgoth would eventually regain his former strength and return to the world, but it would be then that he would be utterly destroyed and the world would end, and the Second Music of the Ainur would take place (possibly to create a new world).
Melkor was the first and most powerful spirit that was created by Eru Iluvatar, thus making Melkor the second oldest known being in existence. It is thought that prior to the beginning of time, Melkor's spirit explored the Void in the new universe looking for the Flame Imperishable, the source of the creativity of Eru. Melkor began to resent Eru because he had not created life to inhabit the Void. Melkor sought the Flame Imperishable in vain because the flame always remained with Eru, and Eru did not inhabit the Void. Because of his initial resentment of Eru, Melkor's spirit developed differently than the other Ainur, and he became a rebellious spirit who resented the holy ways of Eru and the other Ainur.
At the beginning of time, Eru created the material universe in an event known as the Music of the Ainur. The Music of the Ainur was a great chorus sang by the Ainur that was led by Eru himself, and somehow this music created the material universe. During the Music of the Ainur, Melkor weaved strange thoughts into his song. The other Ainur did not understand the song of Melkor, for it clashed with the Theme of Iluvatar. Melkor's music warred against Eru's Theme, and Eru sent forth a new Theme to challenge Melkor's. But Melkor again opposed the Theme of Iluvatar by singing a strange song, and this song was so violent that many of the Ainur stopped singing. But Eru sent forth a third Theme, and this time Melkor could not override it though he greatly opposed it. Eru's beautiful, sweet song reigned supreme, and it lasted a long while until it ended in a single chord.
Eru told Melkor that he could not stand against the Theme of Iluvatar. Thus by opposing Eru, Melkor was only helping Eru's magnificent cause because Melkor could never truly stand against the One. Melkor was enraged by this judgement, but he hid his feelings because he secretly had a new prize in mind. Eru showed the Ainur what had become of their music: the creation of the material universe of Ea. Melkor begged to enter the world of Arda which had been created by Aule, claiming that he wished to spread Iluvatar's glory to that planet. Eru allowed Melkor and the fourteen Valar and the Maiar to travel to Arda to prepare it for the arrival of the Children of Iluvatar, the races of Elves and men. When Melkor and the other Ainur arrived in Arda, Melkor immediately announced that he was the ruler of Arda. Melkor's brother Manwe did not understand Melkor's evil, but he feared that Melkor would start wars on Arda and Manwe did not want that. Instead of waging war with Melkor, Manwe summoned more Ainur to protect Arda from evil, and Melkor fled to the remote, desolate regions of Ea far away from the world.
Eventually, Melkor developed an evil form and came to Arda to attack. The Ainur were in the process of preparing the earth for the arrival of the Children of Iluvatar, so a great war took place. The great Vala Tulkas came from other parts of Ea to save the Ainur and to fight off Melkor, and Melkor was driven out of the realm of Arda. The Ainur were allowed to complete preparation for the Children of Iluvatar, and thus the world was complete.
The Valar raised a land called the Isle of Almaren in the middle of the Sea, and this was where they dwelt. The Valar raised two lamps called Illuin and Ormal to light the earth. Melkor was able to attract followers among the Maiar, the servants of the Valar, and he used them as spies to learn of the ways of the Valar. One day, the Valar were having a feast on Almaren in which Tulkas and Nessa were to be married. When Tulkas fell asleep, Melkor struck Arda. Melkor led a large host to pass over the Walls of Night and wage war with the world. Because Tulkas the ever watchful was asleep, Melkor and his armies could enter Arda undetected. Melkor traveled to far northeastern Arda where he constructed the fortress of Utumno. Utumno was located in a place that the light of Illuin did not hit, and thus the Valar could not detect it without the watchfulness of Tulkas. Melkor disrupted the Spring of Arda, the time period in which plants and animals came to inhabit the world. Where Melkor had settled, living plants began to die, and animals began fighting one another. The only animal that remained thriving was the fly, which traveled in terrible swarms. The Valar began to suspect that Melkor had returned, but they did not know where he was. Eventually Melkor destroyed the two lamps and great turmoil came to Arda. Melkor filled the continents with fire and water, and thus he reshaped them. He was also able to destroy the Isle of Almaren. Melkor then hid in his fortress of Utumno in the north where, during the confusion, the Valar could not find him. Thus the Spring of Arda was ended and the Valar could not stop Melkor because they were forced to use their strength to save the world from utter destruction.
The Valar evacuated across the Sea from Melkor. They came to inhabit a new realm, the continent of Aman, where they established the realm of Valinor. There they built the Two Trees of Valinor, called Telperion and Laurelin, to light the world after the downfall of the lamps. Melkor continued his evil ways in Middle-Earth, breeding horrible creatures who would worship him. But the Valar refused to let themselves give up Middle-Earth to Melkor, and often times Yavanna and Ulmo would visit the animals that lived on and around the continent. The Vala Orome would also ride to Middle-Earth on occasion to slay the servants of Melkor.
But Melkor remained very powerful in Middle-Earth. In the north, the fortress of Utumno was ever strong, and Melkor built another fortess called Angband which was located in the far northwest. The purpose of Angband was to guard Melkor's realm from attack from the Valar. In Utumno, Melkor breaded horrible and terrifying creatures with his evil allies, the Maiar who had joined with him. Some of the Maiar who joined with Melkor became the Balrogs, some of Melkor's most deadly servants. Melkor's most valuable servant, Sauron, acted as Melkor's lieutenant and was positioned in Angband to protect Melkor's realm from attack from the Valar.
During the Years of the Trees, the First Children of Iluvatar, the Elves, awoke in Middle-Earth. Melkor discovered their existence and he immediately began slaughtering many and taking many to Utumno to be tortured and made into his servants. It is possible that Melkor converted some Elves into Orcs.
When the Valar discovered the Elves, they were greatly fearful that Melkor would destroy the new race. Manwe decided that Eru would want them to keep Middle-Earth as clean and good as possible, and Manwe also knew that Eru would want his new creation the Elves to be protected. Acting on impulse, the Valar attacked Middle-Earth and laid siege to Utumno. The Battle of the Powers was such a massive conflict that it changed the geography of Middle-Earth. In the end, Melkor was captured by the Valar and was imprisoned in the Halls of Mandos across the Sea. Aule created a chain called Angainor that kept Melkor in place for three ages, or about 2,900 solar years. Sauron hid in the caverns beneath Angband during the battle and was not captured.
At the end of three ages, Melkor begged Manwe to be pardoned and released from prison. Manwe sympathetically agreed and Melkor was pardoned, though both Ulmo and Tulkas were most dissatisfied with this decision. But Melkor was not yet released into the wild; he had to remain in Valmar, the city of the Valar in Aman where the Valar watched him closely. Melkor interacted with some of the Elves who came to visit Valmar, and he found that the Noldor were eager to learn what Melkor could teach them. Melkor began plotting evil and he thought that perhaps he could corrupt the Noldor into his service. Melkor knew that the other two groups of Elves in Aman would not be suitable for his cause; the Vanyar were far too noble and wise to betray the Valar, and the Teleri were too weak to benefit Melkor. But Melkor thought the Noldor to be the perfect fit for his cause.
Melkor very subtly began to oppose the Valar again. He began by spreading quiet rumors that spread amongst the Noldor about the Valar, and many of the Noldor began doubting the Valar. Feanor, the son of Finwe the High King of the Noldor, was the creator of the Silmarils, jewels that Melkor came to greatly desire. Feanor came to begin to doubt the Valar. The Valar eventually found out about the murmurings amongst the Noldor, and they put Feanor on trial. The Valar judged that Melkor was behind the murmurings and the doubt that had been spread, and Tulkas went to find Melkor straight away in order to punish him. But when he searched, he discovered that Melkor had escaped.
Melkor was not seen for a time, but he reappeared at the city of Formenos, a fortress inhabited by the Noldor. Melkor appeared to Feanor, and tempted him to betray the Valar and join with Melkor. But Feanor overcame the temptation, realizing that Melkor desired power and the possession of the Silmarils. Feanor cursed Melkor and banished him from Noldorin lands. Deeply enraged, Melkor stormed southward passed Hyarmentir until he found himself in the valley of Avathar where there lived Ungoliant, a mysterious being in Great Spider form. Ungoliant had once been a servant to Melkor, but it is believed that she had abandoned him when he had been captured by the Valar. Melkor lured Ungoliant back into his service with promises of rewards, and Ungoliant weaved a dark web of shadow around them to show their alliance.
Melkor and Ungoliant attacked Valinor during a great festival in Valmar. Melkor chopped down the Two Trees, and Ungoliant drank the light from them. She also drank the Wells of Varda, great vets that had been located beneath the Two Trees. Once more, the entirety of Arda was in darkness and turmoil. During the confusion, Melkor and Ungoliant fled northward to Formenos where they attacked the Noldor. Melkor killed Finwe, High King of the Noldor, and he also took all of Feanor's treasures including the Silmarils. Melkor and Ungoliant retreated over the Grinding Ice into Middle-Earth. Though Utumno had been destroyed, Melkor settled in the fortress of Angband which still stood. But Melkor did not leave Aman before Feanor cursed him, renaming him Morgoth. The Eldar came to call Melkor Morgoth from then on, and it became something of a universal name for him.
Once Morgoth and Ungoliant reached Middle-Earth, Ungoliant demanded that Morgoth reward her with the jewels of Feanor in payment for her help in the cutting of the Two Trees and his escape from Aman. Morgoth suddenly feared Ungoliant, for he knew that he was too weak to combat the monstrous spider successfully. Morgoth reluctantly gave away all of the jewels but the Silmarils, and upon receiving the jewels, Ungoliant devoured them. But Morgoth refused to give up the Silmarils, even after Ungoliant tortured him for them. Morgoth's screams could be heard from Angband, and they were heard by a group of Balrogs led by Gothmog. Gothmog and his Balrogs came to Morgoth's rescue, and they drove Ungoliant away from Morgoth with their fiery whips. Morgoth returned to Angband where he began reestablishing his former realm.
Once Morgoth began restoring his former realm, he encountered several groups of Elves who had remained in Middle-Earth rather than taking the Great Journey across the Sea to Aman. The most significant group he encountered were the Sindar, the people of King Elu Thingol, who lived in the woodland realm of Doriath. Other groups of Elves who lived in Middle-Earth included the people of Cirdan who lived on the coast of West Beleriand in a region called Falas, and the Nandor people of Denethor who lived in Ossiriand. Morgoth waged war with Thingol, and his forces surrounded Doriath in order to prevent Thingol from looking for aid from Cirdan. But Thingol had contact with Denethor of the Nandor, and the Nandor and the Sindar completely surrounded the Orc forces of Morgoth, and Morgoth's forces were defeated in the First Battle. When the Orcs of Morgoth fled north, they were vanquished by Dwarves called the Naugrim. Morgoth sent another force to attack Cirdan's people, and they drove them to the edge of the Sea.
Feanor's people, the Noldor, arrived in Middle-Earth after Feanor swore an oath to retrieve his Silmarils at any cost. Morgoth became fearful that Feanor would grow strong and would challenge him. Feanor and his followers settled Mithrim, which was geographically close to Morgoth's own stronghold of Angband. Morgoth struck the Noldor soon after their arrival in a conflict known as the Battle-under-Stars. This battle was fought in 1498 of the Years of the Trees. The Noldor were stronger than Morgoth had anticipated, and they crushed his forces. The Orcs feared the Noldor, and Feanor led the Noldor to pursue many of the Orcs passed the Thangorodrim and on to Angband. When Feanor and his Elves arrived at Angband, Morgoth sent forth a number of Balrogs led by Gothmog, and it was then that Feanor was killed. Feanor's death inspired the other Elves to fight harder, and the Balrogs were driven back into Angband. Though Morgoth had suffered a defeat and had lost all of Beleriand besides the Ered Engrin (the Iron Mountains) and Angband itself, Morgoth was satisfied with Feanor's death.
Despite Feanor's death, Morgoth was not left without challenge in Middle-Earth because Fingolfin remained alive. Fingolfin was an Elf of the Noldor who proved very difficult to slay, and he was allied with all of his strong sons and the sons of Finarfin and sons of Feanor. Morgoth was prepared to wait sixty years before he struck the Elves again, but the Elves gathered their strength and struck Morgoth in year 75 of the First Age. Fingolfin and Maedhros, the eldest son of Feanor, laid siege to Angband, a siege that would last four-hundred years in which Morgoth would be stuck in Angband, though his servants (such as Sauron) were capable of doing great evil in other parts of Middle-Earth. Morgoth was not powerless inside of Angband, and the Elves could not enter Angband, so Morgoth continued developing evil schemes from inside of his fortress. Morgoth's strength reached its peak in 445 of the First Age, and it was then that he emerged from Angband and broke the siege in a conflict known as the Battle of Sudden Flame. Morgoth sent forth great rivers of fire from Angband that destroyed many lands including Ard-galan, which became a dry plain known as Anfauglith. Morgoth's fires also destroyed Dorthonion and turned its forests into Taur-nu-Fuin, the forest under nightshade.
Morgoth's rivers of fire not only destroyed lands but also killed many people including both Elves and the new race of men. Morgoth then sent forth great armies of Orcs and Balrogs led by the dragon Glaurung. It was then that Glaurung led an invasion of Dorthonion and killed both Angrod and Aegnor, also destroying most of the House of Beor, one of the three houses of the Edain. Maglor was defeated on Lothlann and his forces were burnt alive, and Morgoth's forces took Maglor's Gap and thus gained entry into Beleriand. Maglor survived and retreated to Himring where he assisted Maedhros in the defense of his city. Meanwhile, Celegorm and Curufin lost the Pass of Aglon and were forced to retreat southward to Doriath and Nargothrond. Morgoth's forces took Mount Rerir and Lake Helevorn and they passed through Thargelion into East Beleriand. Morgoth's forces flooded into East Beleriand and also made their way southward where they defeated an army of Finrod Felagund, and Finrod would have been killed if it were not for the actions of Barahir. Minas Tirith was not captured, but much of southern and eastern Beleriand was lost to Morgoth. Ered Wethrin and Hithlum were barely maintained by the free peoples of Beleriand. When the siege of Angband was broken, Morgoth's forces emptied from Angband and roamed freely across the north. But the battle did not end until Fingolfin, the High King of the Noldor, discovered the evil that Morgoth had done. Fingolfin went to Angband and battled Morgoth in single combat. Fingolfin wounded Morgoth seven times with his sword Ringil, but Morgoth knocked Fingolfin to the ground with his mighty hammer Grond, and with his foot he crushed Fingolfin to death. But Fingolfin stabbed Morgoth one last time in the foot, and he was so wounded that when the Eagle Thorondor came to take Fingolfin's body, Morgoth was not strong enough to combat him.
After Morgoth had achieved such a massive victory, the rest of Beleriand lay in a state of watchful peace. In Doriath, a man of the House of Beor named Beren fell in love with an Elf-maiden named Luthien. Luthien's father Thingol told Beren that the only way he could marry Luthien is if he cut one of the Silmarils from Morgoth's Iron Crown, a seemingly imposible task. But Beren was determined. Luthien accompanied Beren on the quest, during which the couple drove Sauron out of the Isle of Werewolves and entered Angband in disguise. Luthien put Morgoth to sleep with her enchanting singing voice, and Beren was thus given time to cut one of the Silmarils from the Iron Crown of Morgoth.
In 471, Maedhros made an alliance of peoples of Beleriand (and elsewhere) that would oppose Morgoth and challenge him in a great battle. The alliance was called the Union of Maedhros and included Elves such as the Sons of Feanor allied with Elves of Houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin of the Noldor. It also included Elves of Gondolin led by Turgon, Dwarves called the Naugrim who lived in Nogrod and Belegost, and also several groups of men including all three Houses of the Edain and two groups of Easterlings. The Union of Maedhros began by marching throughout southern Beleriand and clearing out the forces of Morgoth that remained from the Battle of Sudden Flame. Morgoth learned of the actions of the Union of Maedhros from his spies. In 472, Morgoth struck the Union of Maedhros on Anfauglith and, due to the fact that the House of Ulfang had betray the Union of Maudhros, Morgoth's forces were victorious. At the end of the battle, the Host of Edain was almost completely wiped out, and Hithlum (including Dor-lomin and Mithrim) was occupied by the traitorous Easterlings. The Edain evacuated for the most part, but others were forces into slavery. The great battle in which Morgoth was victorious became known as the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. In 495, Morgoth continued his conquest of Beleriand and he destroyed Nargothrond.
During the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, a leader of the Edain named Hurin was taken captive and brought to the Thangorodrim. Morgoth cursed Hurin's family, and after the death of Hurin's son Turin and Hurin's daughter Nienor, Morgoth released Hurin because he rendered him old and useless.
In the early 500s of the First Age, Morgoth learned of the location of the hidden city of Gondolin from the traitorous Elf Maeglin. In 510, Morgoth laid siege to Gondolin and invaded it. King Turgon of Gondolin was killed during the invasion, and the attack was successful. Gondolin fell and Morgoth's forces came to inhabit its ruins, and most of the inhabitants of the once vibrant hidden city were slain. However, there were some survivors such as Tuor and Idril, and most of the survivors settled in the Havens of Sirion. At this point, Morgoth and his allies held all of the lands in northern Beleriand, save a few scattered communities of Elvish refugees from Nargothrond, Gondolin, and Doriath.
After the destruction of Gondolin, Tuor and Idril settled in the Havens of Sirion where they had a child named Earendil. In 542, Earendil sailed to the Undying Lands to seek the help of the Valar in the war against Morgoth. The Valar were outraged to learn of Morgoth's treachery across the Sea, and they decided to put an end to Morgoth's evil once and for all. The Valar stormed across the Sea and engaged Morgoth in the War of Wrath in circa 545 of the First Age. The Valar's host was enormous, but it did not go unchallenged by the forces of Morgoth. Morgoth released dragons led by Ancalagon the Black, a great host that was fierce and fire-breathing. Morgoth's Orcs numbered in the millions, and he also unleashed great armies of Balrogs and other demonic beings. But Morgoth's forces did not dent the power of the Valar.
Most of Morgoth's dragons were slain by Great Eagles, and the dragons' leader Ancalagon the Black was slain by Earendil who rode in his ship Vingilot. At the end of the war, the Valar and their forces overran Morgoth's realm and captured Morgoth in Angband. The Valar stripped Morgoth of the Silmarils and turned his Iron Crown into a collar and they chained him up and imprisoned him once more. But the Valar did not see Arda a fit place to house a prisoner such as Morgoth, so they cast into the Void outside the Doors of Night. Morgoth was now gone from the world, though his spirit endured for eternity in the Void outside.
Morgoth's legacy was massive, and he left the world of Arda forever marred. Not only had the entire land of Beleriand been utterly destroyed during the War of Wrath, but the free peoples of Arda had been greatly weakened despite their victory. The Valar never again interfered in the wars of Middle-Earth, and it is possible that they, too, had been greatly weakened by the forces of Morgoth. Morgoth's evil will was embedded into the world, so his evil would never be truly gone. Morgoth's former servant Sauron continued Morgoth's legacy in Middle-Earth, but on a much smaller scale than Morgoth himself.
Though Morgoth's spirit was meant to endure outside of Arda forever, it was stated by Mandos in his second prophecy that Morgoth would eventually discover a way to break down the Doors of Night and return to the world. According to the prophecy, a great battle called Dagor Dagorath would take place between Morgoth and the Valar, and the world would end as a result. It would be a resurrection of Turin who would ultimately slay Morgoth, and thus Turin would redeem the race of men by bringing down the ultimate foe once and for all. After the final destruction of Morgoth, there would be a Second Music of the Ainur in which a new world may have been created.
Melkor was the first and most powerful spirit that was created by Eru Iluvatar, thus making Melkor the second oldest known being in existence. It is thought that prior to the beginning of time, Melkor's spirit explored the Void in the new universe looking for the Flame Imperishable, the source of the creativity of Eru. Melkor began to resent Eru because he had not created life to inhabit the Void. Melkor sought the Flame Imperishable in vain because the flame always remained with Eru, and Eru did not inhabit the Void. Because of his initial resentment of Eru, Melkor's spirit developed differently than the other Ainur, and he became a rebellious spirit who resented the holy ways of Eru and the other Ainur.
At the beginning of time, Eru created the material universe in an event known as the Music of the Ainur. The Music of the Ainur was a great chorus sang by the Ainur that was led by Eru himself, and somehow this music created the material universe. During the Music of the Ainur, Melkor weaved strange thoughts into his song. The other Ainur did not understand the song of Melkor, for it clashed with the Theme of Iluvatar. Melkor's music warred against Eru's Theme, and Eru sent forth a new Theme to challenge Melkor's. But Melkor again opposed the Theme of Iluvatar by singing a strange song, and this song was so violent that many of the Ainur stopped singing. But Eru sent forth a third Theme, and this time Melkor could not override it though he greatly opposed it. Eru's beautiful, sweet song reigned supreme, and it lasted a long while until it ended in a single chord.
Eru told Melkor that he could not stand against the Theme of Iluvatar. Thus by opposing Eru, Melkor was only helping Eru's magnificent cause because Melkor could never truly stand against the One. Melkor was enraged by this judgement, but he hid his feelings because he secretly had a new prize in mind. Eru showed the Ainur what had become of their music: the creation of the material universe of Ea. Melkor begged to enter the world of Arda which had been created by Aule, claiming that he wished to spread Iluvatar's glory to that planet. Eru allowed Melkor and the fourteen Valar and the Maiar to travel to Arda to prepare it for the arrival of the Children of Iluvatar, the races of Elves and men. When Melkor and the other Ainur arrived in Arda, Melkor immediately announced that he was the ruler of Arda. Melkor's brother Manwe did not understand Melkor's evil, but he feared that Melkor would start wars on Arda and Manwe did not want that. Instead of waging war with Melkor, Manwe summoned more Ainur to protect Arda from evil, and Melkor fled to the remote, desolate regions of Ea far away from the world.
Eventually, Melkor developed an evil form and came to Arda to attack. The Ainur were in the process of preparing the earth for the arrival of the Children of Iluvatar, so a great war took place. The great Vala Tulkas came from other parts of Ea to save the Ainur and to fight off Melkor, and Melkor was driven out of the realm of Arda. The Ainur were allowed to complete preparation for the Children of Iluvatar, and thus the world was complete.
The Valar raised a land called the Isle of Almaren in the middle of the Sea, and this was where they dwelt. The Valar raised two lamps called Illuin and Ormal to light the earth. Melkor was able to attract followers among the Maiar, the servants of the Valar, and he used them as spies to learn of the ways of the Valar. One day, the Valar were having a feast on Almaren in which Tulkas and Nessa were to be married. When Tulkas fell asleep, Melkor struck Arda. Melkor led a large host to pass over the Walls of Night and wage war with the world. Because Tulkas the ever watchful was asleep, Melkor and his armies could enter Arda undetected. Melkor traveled to far northeastern Arda where he constructed the fortress of Utumno. Utumno was located in a place that the light of Illuin did not hit, and thus the Valar could not detect it without the watchfulness of Tulkas. Melkor disrupted the Spring of Arda, the time period in which plants and animals came to inhabit the world. Where Melkor had settled, living plants began to die, and animals began fighting one another. The only animal that remained thriving was the fly, which traveled in terrible swarms. The Valar began to suspect that Melkor had returned, but they did not know where he was. Eventually Melkor destroyed the two lamps and great turmoil came to Arda. Melkor filled the continents with fire and water, and thus he reshaped them. He was also able to destroy the Isle of Almaren. Melkor then hid in his fortress of Utumno in the north where, during the confusion, the Valar could not find him. Thus the Spring of Arda was ended and the Valar could not stop Melkor because they were forced to use their strength to save the world from utter destruction.
The Valar evacuated across the Sea from Melkor. They came to inhabit a new realm, the continent of Aman, where they established the realm of Valinor. There they built the Two Trees of Valinor, called Telperion and Laurelin, to light the world after the downfall of the lamps. Melkor continued his evil ways in Middle-Earth, breeding horrible creatures who would worship him. But the Valar refused to let themselves give up Middle-Earth to Melkor, and often times Yavanna and Ulmo would visit the animals that lived on and around the continent. The Vala Orome would also ride to Middle-Earth on occasion to slay the servants of Melkor.
But Melkor remained very powerful in Middle-Earth. In the north, the fortress of Utumno was ever strong, and Melkor built another fortess called Angband which was located in the far northwest. The purpose of Angband was to guard Melkor's realm from attack from the Valar. In Utumno, Melkor breaded horrible and terrifying creatures with his evil allies, the Maiar who had joined with him. Some of the Maiar who joined with Melkor became the Balrogs, some of Melkor's most deadly servants. Melkor's most valuable servant, Sauron, acted as Melkor's lieutenant and was positioned in Angband to protect Melkor's realm from attack from the Valar.
During the Years of the Trees, the First Children of Iluvatar, the Elves, awoke in Middle-Earth. Melkor discovered their existence and he immediately began slaughtering many and taking many to Utumno to be tortured and made into his servants. It is possible that Melkor converted some Elves into Orcs.
When the Valar discovered the Elves, they were greatly fearful that Melkor would destroy the new race. Manwe decided that Eru would want them to keep Middle-Earth as clean and good as possible, and Manwe also knew that Eru would want his new creation the Elves to be protected. Acting on impulse, the Valar attacked Middle-Earth and laid siege to Utumno. The Battle of the Powers was such a massive conflict that it changed the geography of Middle-Earth. In the end, Melkor was captured by the Valar and was imprisoned in the Halls of Mandos across the Sea. Aule created a chain called Angainor that kept Melkor in place for three ages, or about 2,900 solar years. Sauron hid in the caverns beneath Angband during the battle and was not captured.
At the end of three ages, Melkor begged Manwe to be pardoned and released from prison. Manwe sympathetically agreed and Melkor was pardoned, though both Ulmo and Tulkas were most dissatisfied with this decision. But Melkor was not yet released into the wild; he had to remain in Valmar, the city of the Valar in Aman where the Valar watched him closely. Melkor interacted with some of the Elves who came to visit Valmar, and he found that the Noldor were eager to learn what Melkor could teach them. Melkor began plotting evil and he thought that perhaps he could corrupt the Noldor into his service. Melkor knew that the other two groups of Elves in Aman would not be suitable for his cause; the Vanyar were far too noble and wise to betray the Valar, and the Teleri were too weak to benefit Melkor. But Melkor thought the Noldor to be the perfect fit for his cause.
Melkor very subtly began to oppose the Valar again. He began by spreading quiet rumors that spread amongst the Noldor about the Valar, and many of the Noldor began doubting the Valar. Feanor, the son of Finwe the High King of the Noldor, was the creator of the Silmarils, jewels that Melkor came to greatly desire. Feanor came to begin to doubt the Valar. The Valar eventually found out about the murmurings amongst the Noldor, and they put Feanor on trial. The Valar judged that Melkor was behind the murmurings and the doubt that had been spread, and Tulkas went to find Melkor straight away in order to punish him. But when he searched, he discovered that Melkor had escaped.
Melkor was not seen for a time, but he reappeared at the city of Formenos, a fortress inhabited by the Noldor. Melkor appeared to Feanor, and tempted him to betray the Valar and join with Melkor. But Feanor overcame the temptation, realizing that Melkor desired power and the possession of the Silmarils. Feanor cursed Melkor and banished him from Noldorin lands. Deeply enraged, Melkor stormed southward passed Hyarmentir until he found himself in the valley of Avathar where there lived Ungoliant, a mysterious being in Great Spider form. Ungoliant had once been a servant to Melkor, but it is believed that she had abandoned him when he had been captured by the Valar. Melkor lured Ungoliant back into his service with promises of rewards, and Ungoliant weaved a dark web of shadow around them to show their alliance.
Melkor and Ungoliant attacked Valinor during a great festival in Valmar. Melkor chopped down the Two Trees, and Ungoliant drank the light from them. She also drank the Wells of Varda, great vets that had been located beneath the Two Trees. Once more, the entirety of Arda was in darkness and turmoil. During the confusion, Melkor and Ungoliant fled northward to Formenos where they attacked the Noldor. Melkor killed Finwe, High King of the Noldor, and he also took all of Feanor's treasures including the Silmarils. Melkor and Ungoliant retreated over the Grinding Ice into Middle-Earth. Though Utumno had been destroyed, Melkor settled in the fortress of Angband which still stood. But Melkor did not leave Aman before Feanor cursed him, renaming him Morgoth. The Eldar came to call Melkor Morgoth from then on, and it became something of a universal name for him.
Once Morgoth and Ungoliant reached Middle-Earth, Ungoliant demanded that Morgoth reward her with the jewels of Feanor in payment for her help in the cutting of the Two Trees and his escape from Aman. Morgoth suddenly feared Ungoliant, for he knew that he was too weak to combat the monstrous spider successfully. Morgoth reluctantly gave away all of the jewels but the Silmarils, and upon receiving the jewels, Ungoliant devoured them. But Morgoth refused to give up the Silmarils, even after Ungoliant tortured him for them. Morgoth's screams could be heard from Angband, and they were heard by a group of Balrogs led by Gothmog. Gothmog and his Balrogs came to Morgoth's rescue, and they drove Ungoliant away from Morgoth with their fiery whips. Morgoth returned to Angband where he began reestablishing his former realm.
Once Morgoth began restoring his former realm, he encountered several groups of Elves who had remained in Middle-Earth rather than taking the Great Journey across the Sea to Aman. The most significant group he encountered were the Sindar, the people of King Elu Thingol, who lived in the woodland realm of Doriath. Other groups of Elves who lived in Middle-Earth included the people of Cirdan who lived on the coast of West Beleriand in a region called Falas, and the Nandor people of Denethor who lived in Ossiriand. Morgoth waged war with Thingol, and his forces surrounded Doriath in order to prevent Thingol from looking for aid from Cirdan. But Thingol had contact with Denethor of the Nandor, and the Nandor and the Sindar completely surrounded the Orc forces of Morgoth, and Morgoth's forces were defeated in the First Battle. When the Orcs of Morgoth fled north, they were vanquished by Dwarves called the Naugrim. Morgoth sent another force to attack Cirdan's people, and they drove them to the edge of the Sea.
Feanor's people, the Noldor, arrived in Middle-Earth after Feanor swore an oath to retrieve his Silmarils at any cost. Morgoth became fearful that Feanor would grow strong and would challenge him. Feanor and his followers settled Mithrim, which was geographically close to Morgoth's own stronghold of Angband. Morgoth struck the Noldor soon after their arrival in a conflict known as the Battle-under-Stars. This battle was fought in 1498 of the Years of the Trees. The Noldor were stronger than Morgoth had anticipated, and they crushed his forces. The Orcs feared the Noldor, and Feanor led the Noldor to pursue many of the Orcs passed the Thangorodrim and on to Angband. When Feanor and his Elves arrived at Angband, Morgoth sent forth a number of Balrogs led by Gothmog, and it was then that Feanor was killed. Feanor's death inspired the other Elves to fight harder, and the Balrogs were driven back into Angband. Though Morgoth had suffered a defeat and had lost all of Beleriand besides the Ered Engrin (the Iron Mountains) and Angband itself, Morgoth was satisfied with Feanor's death.
Despite Feanor's death, Morgoth was not left without challenge in Middle-Earth because Fingolfin remained alive. Fingolfin was an Elf of the Noldor who proved very difficult to slay, and he was allied with all of his strong sons and the sons of Finarfin and sons of Feanor. Morgoth was prepared to wait sixty years before he struck the Elves again, but the Elves gathered their strength and struck Morgoth in year 75 of the First Age. Fingolfin and Maedhros, the eldest son of Feanor, laid siege to Angband, a siege that would last four-hundred years in which Morgoth would be stuck in Angband, though his servants (such as Sauron) were capable of doing great evil in other parts of Middle-Earth. Morgoth was not powerless inside of Angband, and the Elves could not enter Angband, so Morgoth continued developing evil schemes from inside of his fortress. Morgoth's strength reached its peak in 445 of the First Age, and it was then that he emerged from Angband and broke the siege in a conflict known as the Battle of Sudden Flame. Morgoth sent forth great rivers of fire from Angband that destroyed many lands including Ard-galan, which became a dry plain known as Anfauglith. Morgoth's fires also destroyed Dorthonion and turned its forests into Taur-nu-Fuin, the forest under nightshade.
Morgoth's rivers of fire not only destroyed lands but also killed many people including both Elves and the new race of men. Morgoth then sent forth great armies of Orcs and Balrogs led by the dragon Glaurung. It was then that Glaurung led an invasion of Dorthonion and killed both Angrod and Aegnor, also destroying most of the House of Beor, one of the three houses of the Edain. Maglor was defeated on Lothlann and his forces were burnt alive, and Morgoth's forces took Maglor's Gap and thus gained entry into Beleriand. Maglor survived and retreated to Himring where he assisted Maedhros in the defense of his city. Meanwhile, Celegorm and Curufin lost the Pass of Aglon and were forced to retreat southward to Doriath and Nargothrond. Morgoth's forces took Mount Rerir and Lake Helevorn and they passed through Thargelion into East Beleriand. Morgoth's forces flooded into East Beleriand and also made their way southward where they defeated an army of Finrod Felagund, and Finrod would have been killed if it were not for the actions of Barahir. Minas Tirith was not captured, but much of southern and eastern Beleriand was lost to Morgoth. Ered Wethrin and Hithlum were barely maintained by the free peoples of Beleriand. When the siege of Angband was broken, Morgoth's forces emptied from Angband and roamed freely across the north. But the battle did not end until Fingolfin, the High King of the Noldor, discovered the evil that Morgoth had done. Fingolfin went to Angband and battled Morgoth in single combat. Fingolfin wounded Morgoth seven times with his sword Ringil, but Morgoth knocked Fingolfin to the ground with his mighty hammer Grond, and with his foot he crushed Fingolfin to death. But Fingolfin stabbed Morgoth one last time in the foot, and he was so wounded that when the Eagle Thorondor came to take Fingolfin's body, Morgoth was not strong enough to combat him.
After Morgoth had achieved such a massive victory, the rest of Beleriand lay in a state of watchful peace. In Doriath, a man of the House of Beor named Beren fell in love with an Elf-maiden named Luthien. Luthien's father Thingol told Beren that the only way he could marry Luthien is if he cut one of the Silmarils from Morgoth's Iron Crown, a seemingly imposible task. But Beren was determined. Luthien accompanied Beren on the quest, during which the couple drove Sauron out of the Isle of Werewolves and entered Angband in disguise. Luthien put Morgoth to sleep with her enchanting singing voice, and Beren was thus given time to cut one of the Silmarils from the Iron Crown of Morgoth.
In 471, Maedhros made an alliance of peoples of Beleriand (and elsewhere) that would oppose Morgoth and challenge him in a great battle. The alliance was called the Union of Maedhros and included Elves such as the Sons of Feanor allied with Elves of Houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin of the Noldor. It also included Elves of Gondolin led by Turgon, Dwarves called the Naugrim who lived in Nogrod and Belegost, and also several groups of men including all three Houses of the Edain and two groups of Easterlings. The Union of Maedhros began by marching throughout southern Beleriand and clearing out the forces of Morgoth that remained from the Battle of Sudden Flame. Morgoth learned of the actions of the Union of Maedhros from his spies. In 472, Morgoth struck the Union of Maedhros on Anfauglith and, due to the fact that the House of Ulfang had betray the Union of Maudhros, Morgoth's forces were victorious. At the end of the battle, the Host of Edain was almost completely wiped out, and Hithlum (including Dor-lomin and Mithrim) was occupied by the traitorous Easterlings. The Edain evacuated for the most part, but others were forces into slavery. The great battle in which Morgoth was victorious became known as the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. In 495, Morgoth continued his conquest of Beleriand and he destroyed Nargothrond.
During the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, a leader of the Edain named Hurin was taken captive and brought to the Thangorodrim. Morgoth cursed Hurin's family, and after the death of Hurin's son Turin and Hurin's daughter Nienor, Morgoth released Hurin because he rendered him old and useless.
In the early 500s of the First Age, Morgoth learned of the location of the hidden city of Gondolin from the traitorous Elf Maeglin. In 510, Morgoth laid siege to Gondolin and invaded it. King Turgon of Gondolin was killed during the invasion, and the attack was successful. Gondolin fell and Morgoth's forces came to inhabit its ruins, and most of the inhabitants of the once vibrant hidden city were slain. However, there were some survivors such as Tuor and Idril, and most of the survivors settled in the Havens of Sirion. At this point, Morgoth and his allies held all of the lands in northern Beleriand, save a few scattered communities of Elvish refugees from Nargothrond, Gondolin, and Doriath.
After the destruction of Gondolin, Tuor and Idril settled in the Havens of Sirion where they had a child named Earendil. In 542, Earendil sailed to the Undying Lands to seek the help of the Valar in the war against Morgoth. The Valar were outraged to learn of Morgoth's treachery across the Sea, and they decided to put an end to Morgoth's evil once and for all. The Valar stormed across the Sea and engaged Morgoth in the War of Wrath in circa 545 of the First Age. The Valar's host was enormous, but it did not go unchallenged by the forces of Morgoth. Morgoth released dragons led by Ancalagon the Black, a great host that was fierce and fire-breathing. Morgoth's Orcs numbered in the millions, and he also unleashed great armies of Balrogs and other demonic beings. But Morgoth's forces did not dent the power of the Valar.
Most of Morgoth's dragons were slain by Great Eagles, and the dragons' leader Ancalagon the Black was slain by Earendil who rode in his ship Vingilot. At the end of the war, the Valar and their forces overran Morgoth's realm and captured Morgoth in Angband. The Valar stripped Morgoth of the Silmarils and turned his Iron Crown into a collar and they chained him up and imprisoned him once more. But the Valar did not see Arda a fit place to house a prisoner such as Morgoth, so they cast into the Void outside the Doors of Night. Morgoth was now gone from the world, though his spirit endured for eternity in the Void outside.
Morgoth's legacy was massive, and he left the world of Arda forever marred. Not only had the entire land of Beleriand been utterly destroyed during the War of Wrath, but the free peoples of Arda had been greatly weakened despite their victory. The Valar never again interfered in the wars of Middle-Earth, and it is possible that they, too, had been greatly weakened by the forces of Morgoth. Morgoth's evil will was embedded into the world, so his evil would never be truly gone. Morgoth's former servant Sauron continued Morgoth's legacy in Middle-Earth, but on a much smaller scale than Morgoth himself.
Though Morgoth's spirit was meant to endure outside of Arda forever, it was stated by Mandos in his second prophecy that Morgoth would eventually discover a way to break down the Doors of Night and return to the world. According to the prophecy, a great battle called Dagor Dagorath would take place between Morgoth and the Valar, and the world would end as a result. It would be a resurrection of Turin who would ultimately slay Morgoth, and thus Turin would redeem the race of men by bringing down the ultimate foe once and for all. After the final destruction of Morgoth, there would be a Second Music of the Ainur in which a new world may have been created.
References
The History of Middle-earth: passim
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Shibboleth of Feanor," page 358 and passim
The History of Middle-earth, Volume X, Morgoth's Ring: passim
"Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part Three" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 49, June 2007, pages 24-25
"Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings," in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), page 115
The Children of Húrin: "The Childhood of Túrin," page 42; "The Words of Húrin and Morgoth," passim
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Shibboleth of Feanor," page 358 and passim
The History of Middle-earth, Volume X, Morgoth's Ring: passim
"Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part Three" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 49, June 2007, pages 24-25
"Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings," in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), page 115
The Children of Húrin: "The Childhood of Túrin," page 42; "The Words of Húrin and Morgoth," passim
Timeline
Notice: Chronology for the Years of the Lamps and the Years of the Trees is difficult because these periods of time were measured in Valian Years, and there are approximately 9.582 solar years in a Valian year.
Beginning of Existence:
Melkor was created by Eru Iluvatar himself. Melkor lived in a Void that existed before the creation of the material universe. Melkor began to resent Eru because he was alone, and he searched in vain for the Flame Imperishable, the Secret Fire.
Beginning of Time:
The Music of the Ainur created the material universe, Ea. Eru led the Music of the Ainur. Melkor wove strange songs into the Music and his song warred with the Theme of Iluvatar. Eventually, Iluvatar's theme overran Melkor's song, but Melkor resented Eru because of this.
Beginning of Arda (Circa Year 1 of the years of the Lamps):
Eru allowed Melkor to enter the new world of Arda.
Spring of Arda (Years of the Lamps):
Melkor disrupted the Spring of Arda by causing animals to turn on each other and plants to die.
Circa Year 1500 of the Years of the Lamps:
Tulkas entered Arda and Melkor fled from him. Melkor spent many years in the furthest reaches of the universe.
Circa Year 3500 of the Years of the Lamps:
Melkor returned to Arda and destructed the two lamps that lit the earth, Illuin and Ormal, in order to attack the Valar and sink Almaren during the turmoil. Melkor was successful.
Early Years of the Trees:
The Valar raised two trees to replace the two lamps. Melkor began establishing his own realm in northern Middle-Earth. He raised the towers of Utumno and Angband where he began creating evil creatures to serve him.
Circa 1100 of the Years of the Trees:
When the Elves awoke in Middle-Earth, the Valar captured Melkor and imprisoned him in the Halls of Mandos in Aman in a conflict known as the Battle of the Powers. Melkor's servant Sauron evaded capture.
Circa 1490s of the Years of the Trees:
After three ages, Melkor convinced Manwe to release him from prison, but Melkor was required to remain in the city of Valmar under close watch. Melkor began causing the Noldorin Elves to doubt the Valar through a series of murmurs, and the Valar discovered this but Melkor escaped during the confusion. Melkor was banished from Formenos by Feanor of the Noldor and he went south to find Ungoliant, a mysterious Great Spider. Melkor and Ungoliant attacked Formenos and seized the Silmarils and other jewels, and they cut the Two Trees and escaped to Middle-Earth during the confusion. Ungoliant turned on Melkor once they reached Middle-Earth, and he gave her all of Feanor's jewels but the Silmarils. Melkor's servants rescued him when they heard Ungoliant torturing him, and Melkor thus kept the three Silmarils.
Circa 1497 of the Years of the Trees:
Melkor, now known as Morgoth, waged war with the Sindarin Elves who inhabited the woodland realm of Doriath. The Sindarin Elves were victorious in the First Battle.
Circa 1498 of the Years of the Trees:
Morgoth attacked the Noldor in a conflict known as the Battle-under-Stars. The Noldor were victorious but Feanor was killed.
Circa 1500 of the Years of the Trees:
The Sun and Moon rose for the first time as a group of Noldor arrived in far northern Beleriand via the Grinding Ice.
Year 1 of the First Age:
Men awoke in Hildorien.
5:
Fingon rescued Maedhros from Thangorodrim. Fingon became High King of the Noldor.
75:
Glorious Battle. The Noldor were victorious against the forces of Morgoth and the Siege of Angband began. From inside of Angband, Morgoth built his strength and continued to develop evil schemes.
455:
Morgoth gathered his strength and broke the siege of Angband. He sent rivers of fire from Angband and into Dorthonion. He then sent forth great and terrible forces of Orcs, Balrogs, and dragons. Ultimately, Morgoth was victorious in battle and his forces overran northern Beleriand, and they occupied lands throughout Beleriand.
457:
Sauron captured Minas Tirith.
460:
Barahir and his outlaw band were massacred at Tarn Aeluin.
463:
Easterlings under the command of Ulfang joined the Union of Maedhros. In time, Ulfang's Easterlings would be deceived and would join with Morgoth.
464:
Beren and Luthien fell in love. Turin was born as the son of Hurin.
465:
The Quest of the Silmaril began, a quest in which Beren and Luthien removed one of the Silmarils from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. During the quest, Finrod was killed in combat with Sauron on the Isle of Werewolves. Ultimately, Luthien put Morgoth to sleep with her singing and the quest was successful because as Morgoth dozed, Beren cut one of the Silmarils from the Iron Crown.
472:
Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Morgoth achieved a massive victory over his opponents due to the treachery of Ulfang. Morgoth's forces captured Hurin and he was imprisoned in Thangorodrim, where Morgoth cursed Hurin's family.
495:
Morgoth furthered his conquest of Beleriand by sacking and destroying Nargothrond.
499:
Hurin's children Turin and Nienor both died due to Morgoth's curse.
502:
Dwarves of Nogrod killed Thingol in order to gain his Silmaril. Elves and Dwarves continued to battle one another over this conflict.
509:
Maeglin of Gondolin was captured and tortured by the forces of Morgoth.
510:
Morgoth's forces discovered the location of Gondolin from Maeglin, and they invaded the city and it was destroyed.
511:
Refugees from Gondolin including Tuor and Idril arrived in the Havens of Sirion.
534:
Earendil, the son of Tuor and Idril, set out from Middle-Earth in search of Valinor in order to seek aid from the Valar in the war against Morgoth.
540:
After a series of violent conflicts between the Sons of Feanor and the refugees from Gondolin, the Elven race was greatly weakened and Morgoth was able to gain control of the entirety of Beleriand.
542:
Earendil and Elwing arrived in Valinor and the Valar agreed to aid the peoples of Middle-Earth in the war against Morgoth.
543:
Teleri of Alqualonde built great ships to sail the Host of the Valar to Middle-Earth.
545:
The Host of the Valar arrived in Beleriand and engaged Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
587:
Beleriand was destroyed as a result of the War of Wrath. The Valar were victorious. Ancalagon the Black and Maedhros were both killed.
590:
The Host of the Valar captured Morgoth in Angband and they cast him out of Arda and into the Void. Valar departed from Middle-Earth. End of the First Age.
End of the World:
According to a prophecy made by Mandos, Morgoth found his way back into the world sometime late in its existence, and he was utterly destroyed by a resurrection of Turin after a great war called Dagor Dagorath.
Beginning of Existence:
Melkor was created by Eru Iluvatar himself. Melkor lived in a Void that existed before the creation of the material universe. Melkor began to resent Eru because he was alone, and he searched in vain for the Flame Imperishable, the Secret Fire.
Beginning of Time:
The Music of the Ainur created the material universe, Ea. Eru led the Music of the Ainur. Melkor wove strange songs into the Music and his song warred with the Theme of Iluvatar. Eventually, Iluvatar's theme overran Melkor's song, but Melkor resented Eru because of this.
Beginning of Arda (Circa Year 1 of the years of the Lamps):
Eru allowed Melkor to enter the new world of Arda.
Spring of Arda (Years of the Lamps):
Melkor disrupted the Spring of Arda by causing animals to turn on each other and plants to die.
Circa Year 1500 of the Years of the Lamps:
Tulkas entered Arda and Melkor fled from him. Melkor spent many years in the furthest reaches of the universe.
Circa Year 3500 of the Years of the Lamps:
Melkor returned to Arda and destructed the two lamps that lit the earth, Illuin and Ormal, in order to attack the Valar and sink Almaren during the turmoil. Melkor was successful.
Early Years of the Trees:
The Valar raised two trees to replace the two lamps. Melkor began establishing his own realm in northern Middle-Earth. He raised the towers of Utumno and Angband where he began creating evil creatures to serve him.
Circa 1100 of the Years of the Trees:
When the Elves awoke in Middle-Earth, the Valar captured Melkor and imprisoned him in the Halls of Mandos in Aman in a conflict known as the Battle of the Powers. Melkor's servant Sauron evaded capture.
Circa 1490s of the Years of the Trees:
After three ages, Melkor convinced Manwe to release him from prison, but Melkor was required to remain in the city of Valmar under close watch. Melkor began causing the Noldorin Elves to doubt the Valar through a series of murmurs, and the Valar discovered this but Melkor escaped during the confusion. Melkor was banished from Formenos by Feanor of the Noldor and he went south to find Ungoliant, a mysterious Great Spider. Melkor and Ungoliant attacked Formenos and seized the Silmarils and other jewels, and they cut the Two Trees and escaped to Middle-Earth during the confusion. Ungoliant turned on Melkor once they reached Middle-Earth, and he gave her all of Feanor's jewels but the Silmarils. Melkor's servants rescued him when they heard Ungoliant torturing him, and Melkor thus kept the three Silmarils.
Circa 1497 of the Years of the Trees:
Melkor, now known as Morgoth, waged war with the Sindarin Elves who inhabited the woodland realm of Doriath. The Sindarin Elves were victorious in the First Battle.
Circa 1498 of the Years of the Trees:
Morgoth attacked the Noldor in a conflict known as the Battle-under-Stars. The Noldor were victorious but Feanor was killed.
Circa 1500 of the Years of the Trees:
The Sun and Moon rose for the first time as a group of Noldor arrived in far northern Beleriand via the Grinding Ice.
Year 1 of the First Age:
Men awoke in Hildorien.
5:
Fingon rescued Maedhros from Thangorodrim. Fingon became High King of the Noldor.
75:
Glorious Battle. The Noldor were victorious against the forces of Morgoth and the Siege of Angband began. From inside of Angband, Morgoth built his strength and continued to develop evil schemes.
455:
Morgoth gathered his strength and broke the siege of Angband. He sent rivers of fire from Angband and into Dorthonion. He then sent forth great and terrible forces of Orcs, Balrogs, and dragons. Ultimately, Morgoth was victorious in battle and his forces overran northern Beleriand, and they occupied lands throughout Beleriand.
457:
Sauron captured Minas Tirith.
460:
Barahir and his outlaw band were massacred at Tarn Aeluin.
463:
Easterlings under the command of Ulfang joined the Union of Maedhros. In time, Ulfang's Easterlings would be deceived and would join with Morgoth.
464:
Beren and Luthien fell in love. Turin was born as the son of Hurin.
465:
The Quest of the Silmaril began, a quest in which Beren and Luthien removed one of the Silmarils from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. During the quest, Finrod was killed in combat with Sauron on the Isle of Werewolves. Ultimately, Luthien put Morgoth to sleep with her singing and the quest was successful because as Morgoth dozed, Beren cut one of the Silmarils from the Iron Crown.
472:
Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Morgoth achieved a massive victory over his opponents due to the treachery of Ulfang. Morgoth's forces captured Hurin and he was imprisoned in Thangorodrim, where Morgoth cursed Hurin's family.
495:
Morgoth furthered his conquest of Beleriand by sacking and destroying Nargothrond.
499:
Hurin's children Turin and Nienor both died due to Morgoth's curse.
502:
Dwarves of Nogrod killed Thingol in order to gain his Silmaril. Elves and Dwarves continued to battle one another over this conflict.
509:
Maeglin of Gondolin was captured and tortured by the forces of Morgoth.
510:
Morgoth's forces discovered the location of Gondolin from Maeglin, and they invaded the city and it was destroyed.
511:
Refugees from Gondolin including Tuor and Idril arrived in the Havens of Sirion.
534:
Earendil, the son of Tuor and Idril, set out from Middle-Earth in search of Valinor in order to seek aid from the Valar in the war against Morgoth.
540:
After a series of violent conflicts between the Sons of Feanor and the refugees from Gondolin, the Elven race was greatly weakened and Morgoth was able to gain control of the entirety of Beleriand.
542:
Earendil and Elwing arrived in Valinor and the Valar agreed to aid the peoples of Middle-Earth in the war against Morgoth.
543:
Teleri of Alqualonde built great ships to sail the Host of the Valar to Middle-Earth.
545:
The Host of the Valar arrived in Beleriand and engaged Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
587:
Beleriand was destroyed as a result of the War of Wrath. The Valar were victorious. Ancalagon the Black and Maedhros were both killed.
590:
The Host of the Valar captured Morgoth in Angband and they cast him out of Arda and into the Void. Valar departed from Middle-Earth. End of the First Age.
End of the World:
According to a prophecy made by Mandos, Morgoth found his way back into the world sometime late in its existence, and he was utterly destroyed by a resurrection of Turin after a great war called Dagor Dagorath.
Names & Meanings
Morgoth:
Morgoth is Sindarin for "Black Foe." This name was given to him by Feanor after the theft of the Silmarils. The Quenya equivalent of Morgoth may be Moringotto, Moriñgotho, or Morikotto, all speculations made by Tolkien himself.
Melkor:
Melkor means "mighty arising," from mbelek meaning "might" and oré meaning "rising." In older drafts of the legenadrium, Melkor was called Melkórë and Melko. Tolkien also abandoned the names Belcha, Melegor, and Meleko. The name Melkor was used before he stole the Silmarils; afterwards, Feanor renamed him Morgoth and that name became universal.
Bauglir:
Bauglir is the Sindarin word for "constrainer," and this name was given to Morgoth at the beginning of the First Age when he returned to Angband. Also called Morgoth Bauglir, translating form Sindarin as "Black Foe the Constrainer."
Belegûr/Belegurth:
Belegûr is Sindarin for "he who arises in might" and Belegurth means "great death." Morgoth was occasionally called these names by the Sindar.
Black King:
As the lord of all evil, Morgoth was often called the Black King. He was also called Dark King, Dark Lord, and Lord of the Dark.
Dark Hunter:
Melkor was called Dark Hunter by the Elves before they met Orome the Hunter.
Elder King:
Morgoth called himself the Elder King when he was speaking of himself to Hurin.
King of the World:
When the Valar first arrived in Arda, Melkor proclaimed himself King of the World.
Lord of All/Giver of Freedom:
Sauron used these names for Morgoth when he encouraged the people of Numenor to worship Morgoth instead of Eru.
Mbelekôro:
Common Eldarin form of Melkor.
Gallery:
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