This came up somewhere else... is it actually written in LotR or perhaps the Simillarion that the Balrog in Moria was a physical creature and part of the Dark Lord's army (what Sauron was part of) and when he was beaten, it fled to the roots of Moria (which was my thinking)? Or was it a "metaphysical" evil that came out of the dwarves greed for mining so deep for precious metals like mithril?
Question about the Balrog in LotR
- Thread starter Spiderman
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R
Rando
Guest
A balrog is a demon. It is a real creature.
The dwarves uncovered this particular balrog by digging too deep in thier mines.
The dwarves uncovered this particular balrog by digging too deep in thier mines.
Melkor who is called Morgoth, the first Dark Lord who Sauron served, used balrogs in his armies, especially when he layed seige to Gondolin. I had always assumed that this was one of his.
A
arhar
Guest
Actually, Balrog and the "primieval evil" found below Moria was one of the things who's origin was left unexplained by Tolkien
A
arhar
Guest
Hmmm... He may be right 
I haven't read Silmarillion in about 6 years, so my memory can fail me.
I haven't read Silmarillion in about 6 years, so my memory can fail me.
R
Rando
Guest
I do not think that it is explained. I had just always assumed that it was one of Morgoth's Balrogs.
It's been a Looooooooong time since I read The Silmarilian or The Book of Lost Tales, so now I can't be sure.
I'll do some checking. There's a Lord of the Rings message board that I visit sometimes, and I'll ask the die-hards over there what they think.
It's been a Looooooooong time since I read The Silmarilian or The Book of Lost Tales, so now I can't be sure.
I'll do some checking. There's a Lord of the Rings message board that I visit sometimes, and I'll ask the die-hards over there what they think.
R
rkoelsch
Guest
I have the silmarilion at home. I don't think I ever finished it.
I can check there.
I can check there.
D
Darkstar
Guest
It is explained. I read the Similirian as well, about five years ago. Correct me if Im wrong, but the Balrog is a stand alone force. Yes Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the World (as deciphered in elvish tounge) used Balrogs in his armies during the fall of Gondolin. I assume that the Balrog in the Mines was simply one of the stray ones, not found by the Dark One. Its like, oh I found a squirrle, I think Ill enslave it for my dark hordes. And this lone squirrle had no connection. See?
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terzarima
Guest
Here, let me quote from the book:
"For of the Maiar, many were drawn to his splendour (Note: right now we're talking about Melkor, also named Morgoth) in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down in to his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called balrogs, demons of terror."
I hope there aren't any spelling mistakes... I was typing with one hand while the other was holding the book open...
"For of the Maiar, many were drawn to his splendour (Note: right now we're talking about Melkor, also named Morgoth) in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down in to his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called balrogs, demons of terror."
I hope there aren't any spelling mistakes... I was typing with one hand while the other was holding the book open...
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terzarima
Guest
Well.... 300 pages later...
"But availed not. The Balrogs were destroyed, save some few that fled and hid themselves in caverns inaccessible at the roots of the earth"
"But availed not. The Balrogs were destroyed, save some few that fled and hid themselves in caverns inaccessible at the roots of the earth"
D
Darkstar
Guest
Ademis, wasnt there a balrog in Angmar somewhere stated in the similirion? Cant remember. But, my theory is that there are more balrogs left, as many fled, yet little were discovered. Either Saurons dark force awakened the one in moria or the fellowship disrupted his sleep when the bothersome hobbit called upon the cave orcs with his meddling.
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terzarima
Guest
Actually... I beleive the dwarves disturbed the Balrog in Moria as they were mining, which makes sense. Caves might've caved in since the balrog fled to the "roots of the earth", and as the dwarves happily mined away, they came upon it.
Don't remember anything aboot Angmar, and just remember, in the lord of the rings triliogy we know so well, it is Sauron's SECOND rising. Why wouldn't the balrog be awakened it his original rise to power?
Don't remember anything aboot Angmar, and just remember, in the lord of the rings triliogy we know so well, it is Sauron's SECOND rising. Why wouldn't the balrog be awakened it his original rise to power?
I'm pretty sure the dwarves distrubed the Balrog in Moria; that's why they had to flee the place. And why Thorin's people kept trying to find a way to re-take it.
I'm thinking Sauron didn't really have enough influence over the Balrog. I mean, it was Morgoth who they followed, not Sauron... that it caused troubles for the dwarves and gathered goblins/orcs to it was probably okay with Sauron, but he didn't "direct" it. It's awakening was probably just an unfortunate independent event by the dwarves.
I'm thinking Sauron didn't really have enough influence over the Balrog. I mean, it was Morgoth who they followed, not Sauron... that it caused troubles for the dwarves and gathered goblins/orcs to it was probably okay with Sauron, but he didn't "direct" it. It's awakening was probably just an unfortunate independent event by the dwarves.