Melkor's Rebellion & Morgoth's Army

Melkor's Early Actions

• Melkor searched the void for the Secret Fire unsuccessfully.
• Rebelled against his creator, sought dominion over Arda.
• Unable to create life, but could corrupt and seduce.
• Seduced some Maiar during the Music of the Ainur to become demons.
• Destroyed the two lamps, marring Arda forever.
• Introduced horrors of war to Arda.
• Rallied armies, forged weaponry, and divided enemies to conquer.

Composition of Morgoth’s Army

Initial Followers

• Constructed Utumno under the Iron Mountains.
• Followers (Umaiar) took forms of demons, including Sauron, Gothmog (Balrog), and possibly Ungoliant (great spider).
• Poisoned Arda, creating monsters.

First War

• Destroyed two lamps, marred Arda.
• Valar created Two Trees.
• Created Angband fortress under Sauron’s command.
• Corrupted Elves into Orcs, led by Umaiar in Orcish forms (Boldogs).
• Valar began War of Powers, Tulkas imprisoned Melkor.
• Sauron and forces hid in Utumno and Angband.
• Melkor spread lies, causing division.
• Destroyed Two Trees of Valinor with Ungoliant, stole Silmarils.

Units of Morgoth’s Army

Hierarchy & Composition

• Morgoth at the top, titles like Dark Lord, Marshal, Lieutenant, Captain, Chieftain.
• Majority of army: Orcs, alongside wolves, wolf-riders (cavalry), werewolves, trolls, dragons.
• Orcs: smaller than Men, strong, ferocious, creative, tunnelers, miners, feared sea, led by various commanders.

Wolves and Werewolves

• Wolves used as cavalry and scouts.
• Sauron twisted beings into Werewolves; first werewolf: Draugluin, then Carcharoth.
• Vampires for reconnaissance, e.g., Thuringwethil.
• Beasts of burden for logistics.

Trolls & Dragons

• Trolls: massive, twisted replicas of Ents, used as guards.
• Dragons: ranged from fire-breathing (Glaurung) to Cold-Drakes (Scatha); included Smaug, Ancalagon.
• Dragons served as siege breakers with some having mental magics.

Morgoth’s Arsenals

• Utumno: primary stronghold and base.
• Angband: secondary fortress, main arsenal for Orcs.
• Orcish weaponry: curved swords, poisoned weapons, armor.
• Engines of war: advanced siege tools developed by Morgoth’s forces.
• Used fear and darkness to manipulate and conquer.

Morgoth’s Divide and Conquer Strategy

• Stirred rebellion among the Noldor against Valar.
• Divided the free peoples using fear of darkness and strategic manipulations.
• Initial assaults aimed at Sindar realms; divided them efficiently.
• Utilized various strategies and forces to weaken foes (Orcs in Dorthonion, Easterlings as auxiliaries).
• Key military campaigns included the Wars of Beleriand and Siege of Angband.
• Used dragons like Glaurung tactically.
• Faced continuous setbacks but persistently divided enemies.
• Final battles: Union of Maedhros failed, heavy losses on both sides.
• Morgoth alienated enemies but simultaneously divided his own strength by spreading his power.

Conclusion

• Morgoth’s strategy relied on dividing enemies, but required vast armies which divided his own power.
• Ultimately, his enemies united and defeated him in the War of the Wrath.
• Morgoth was cast through the Door of Night defeated when all enemies united.

Miscellaneous

• Promotional content for World Anvil: tool for building creative fiction, wikis, timelines, maps, etc.
• Encouraged audience to subscribe, like, share, and comment for more content on Middle Earth histories and cultures.