Who is the Greatest hero of all ages?

[HerenIstarion]

Gwindor for the elves. He ventured into Morgoth's stronghold, and than managed to escape from slavery, and he was abandoned yet met his fate bravely.

Sam and Fredegar Bolger among hobbits

Gandalf for the maiar

and among man Amandil, and Isildur for saving white tree, though he failed to destroy the ring, and Elendur Isildur's son and Aragorn Isildur's heir.

[Saraphim]

One word: Fingolfin.

If I had money, I would fund a Silmarillion movie just to see Melkor and Fingolfin fight to the death. It's my favorite scene in the whole book.

Here are some more heroes that I'd give a round of applause to:

Thorondor, Luthien, Beren, Huan, Idril, Tuor, Turin, Hurin, Huor, Morwen (one heck of a family there), Finrod Felagund, Glorfindel, The entire Fellowship, Eowyn, Elendil, Isildur, Beleg and a ton more.

[Meneltarmacil]

I would consider Frodo and Sam the greatest heroes of Middle-Earth. Despite all the praise the heroes of the First Age have recieved, it seems to me that their heroic deeds in battle only helped to keep evil at bay for a while and didn't really accomplish much beyond that. But look at what these two hobbits did that a bunch of great warriors could not! They took on the most dangerous task ever and with all odds against them, they perservered through friendship and courage to bring Sauron's power to an end, something that could not be achieved by victories in battle.

I think they deserve to share in this honor because neither one could have done it on his own. They depended on each other to keep going.

And I also believe that Gollum should be recognized for the part he played at the very end, even if it was done for his own evil purposes, as Frodo could not have destroyed the Ring without him.

[Mad Baggins]

Frodo and Sam, for one. They defied all odds and went into Mordor, beat Shelob (which, mind you, even strong Orcs could not do! Then again, they had the power of the Elves on their hands...) and saved Middle-earth to boot.

For another, Finrod, Luthien and Beren. They too defied all odds and retrieved a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. They did what others could not, and that is what makes them all heroes.

[Gothmog]

There are so many great heroes through the history so I can't choose one... You guys (and girls ) have covered most of them (if not all), and I agree with most of you that what Frodo and Sam did is hard to beat.

BUT (hobbit-lovers, please don't kill me ) I must say that I'm more impressed by the elves and men of before... People like Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod, Gil-Galad, Húrin, Túrin, Huor, Tuor, Eärendil, Beren & Luthien etc etc, well if it weren't for them then there wouldn't be any hobbits by the time of the War of the Ring. If the old heroes would have failed, Middle-Earth had become Morgoth's kingdom to rule, and I don't think he would have liked the hobbits (imagine Morgoth Bauglir walking around in the Shire smelling flowers ).

[Numenorean]

Saraphim -

One word: Fingolfin. If I had money, I would fund a Silmarillion movie just to see Melkor and Fingolfin fight to the death. It's my favorite scene in the whole book

Same here! That and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad would be almost too epic.
For greatest Hero and heroics though, I'd have to salute Beren Erchamion & Lúthien.

[Etharius]

Having only read LotR i haveto say...probably...Gandalf or Aragorn?

[samwise8504]

first age: Fingolfin,Beren,Turin and Earendil
second age: Gil-Galad, Elendil and Isildur.
Third age: Frodo,Sam,Gandalf, Aragorn.
Overall: Frodo and Sam.

[Orophin]

Isildur has to be one of the greatest heroes of all time. He not only escaped the downfall of Numenor with the white tree but also he cut the ring from Sauron's hand. Not to mention he helped found and lead the two entire kingdoms. It is true that he did not destroy the ring but that does not make his other accomplishments worthless.

[The_Hand]

The greatest hero of all time??

Frodo did destroy the One Ring, but without Sam he probaly wouldn't have...
Turin did slay Glaurung, but he was very lucky with it... getting him from underneath...
Gil-galad slayed a Balrog, but so did Gandalf...
And so so so many more I can mention...

I pick Turin because his story is so tragic and heartbreaking.

I would say Isildur. I don´t know if he was the greatest of all heroes but very important person beacuse he at last cutted the ring from Saurons hand.
Of course we have to remember that after that he didn´t destroy the one ring when he got opportunity but he is still a great hero I think.