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Kaiserin · 08-15-2003, 12:01 AM

There is a latin word, Orkus which is another name for Hades. It was later used in parts of Europe to refer to something abhorrent or cursed.

It's not hard to believe that Tolkien derived "orc" from orcneas(from Guenevere's post, above)- as he was very familiar with Beowulf . Probably not really to refer to demons, but to some foul creature that would remind one of demons.

08-15-2003, 12:01 AM	#7
Kaiserin Wight Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cair Paravel Posts: 150	There is a latin word, Orkus which is another name for Hades. It was later used in parts of Europe to refer to something abhorrent or cursed. It's not hard to believe that Tolkien derived "orc" from orcneas(from Guenevere's post, above)- as he was very familiar with Beowulf . Probably not really to refer to demons, but to some foul creature that would remind one of demons. __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.