Weapons of Middle Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

**The Saucepan Man** · 05-21-2004, 06:37 PM

Quote:

I believe the mace Sauron so magestically throws warriors of the West around with is a movie invention.

A good invention in this case though, I think. It makes sense that Sauron would use a mace, given that his Mentor wielded just such a weapon, and one of great renown. Sauron was clearly rather taken with Grond, since he named one of his most devastating siege weapons after it.

Son of Númenor · 05-21-2004, 07:08 PM

I don't remember Melkor using a mace. Wasn't Grond a hammer?

I think the most interesting weapon in Middle-earth was Gurthang, because it was the only one that had any sort of personality. Anduril certainly had a great 'presence' when it was mentioned, but the doom that hung on Gurthang, its unique & mysterious origin, & its interaction with Beleg & Turin, made it the most fascinating to me.

However (to answer the initial question), I do not think I would rather wield it than other weapons of Middle-earth, because of Melian's proclamation to Beleg:

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There is malice in this sword. The dark heart of the smith still dwells in it. It will not love the hand it serves; neither will it abide with you long" (Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar").

I certainly wouldn't trust such a blade. If I had my choice of weapon (if we use the term 'weapon' in a very liberal sense to mean something used in the opposition of an enemy), I would choose Narya, whose power is not in might but in summoning the courage & kindling the valour necessary to overcome evil.

HerenIstarion · 05-22-2004, 04:56 PM

Indeed Grond was a hammer. But in the index to Silm 77 it is explained as 'great mace Morgoth wielded", so, probably, when used as a weapon, as opposed to its usage as a tool, hammer is akin to and maybe qualified under maces...

Son of Númenor · 05-22-2004, 05:11 PM

Ah, thanks for the clarification.

Vanya · 05-23-2004, 03:57 AM

Although the Sting is very usefull as a Orc alarm, I would really like to have Bilbo's mithril mail. It saved Frodo's life few times, and after war it can be used like a bank savings, since it's worth more than whole Shire.
Also, I would like to have Galadriel's phial, because I hate dark, and in those days without electricity and bateries it was valuable and usefull possesion.

Lhunardawen · 05-23-2004, 06:08 AM

Anglachel/Gurthang is really an interesting weapon, and I'm sure it would have done much good in Middle-Earth if not for Eol's bitterness. However, the fact that it was the one used by Turin to kill his own friend Beleg is very disturbing.

I'd stick with Orcrist and Glamdring instead. It's amazing that they were created during the First Age in Gondolin yet they were still around for Thorin Oakenshield and Gandalf (respectively) to wield during the Third Age.

Elwe Singollo · 05-23-2004, 08:37 AM

Some of us seem to be drifting away from the meaning of 'weapon' The Phial of Galadriel I would class as prtction and certainly the mithril shirt.

05-22-2004, 04:56 PM	#3
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	Grond Indeed Grond was a hammer. But in the index to Silm 77 it is explained as 'great mace Morgoth wielded", so, probably, when used as a weapon, as opposed to its usage as a tool, hammer is akin to and maybe qualified under maces... __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

05-22-2004, 05:11 PM	#4
Son of Númenor A Shade of Westernesse Join Date: May 2004 Location: The last wave over Atalantë Posts: 515	Ah, thanks for the clarification. __________________ "This miserable drizzling afternoon I have been reading up old military lecture-notes again:- and getting bored with them after an hour and a half. I have done some touches to my nonsense fairy language - to its improvement."

05-23-2004, 03:57 AM	#5
Vanya Animated Skeleton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Belgrade Posts: 43	mithril mail Although the Sting is very usefull as a Orc alarm, I would really like to have Bilbo's mithril mail. It saved Frodo's life few times, and after war it can be used like a bank savings, since it's worth more than whole Shire. Also, I would like to have Galadriel's phial, because I hate dark, and in those days without electricity and bateries it was valuable and usefull possesion.

05-23-2004, 08:37 AM	#7
Elwe Singollo Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2004 Location: Deep in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 88	Some of us seem to be drifting away from the meaning of 'weapon' The Phial of Galadriel I would class as prtction and certainly the mithril shirt. __________________ "Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains." - The Doom of Mandos

05-23-2004, 06:08 AM	#6
Lhunardawen Hauntress of the Havens Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IN it, but not OF it Posts: 2,538	Anglachel/Gurthang is really an interesting weapon, and I'm sure it would have done much good in Middle-Earth if not for Eol's bitterness. However, the fact that it was the one used by Turin to kill his own friend Beleg is very disturbing. I'd stick with Orcrist and Glamdring instead. It's amazing that they were created during the First Age in Gondolin yet they were still around for Thorin Oakenshield and Gandalf (respectively) to wield during the Third Age.